Tensions escalated at the Milimani Law Courts on Tuesday after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Inspector General of Police failed to produce missing blogger Ndiang’ui Kinyagia, as previously ordered by the court.
The proceedings, which were part of a habeas corpus application filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), were disrupted by an unidentified man who accused the DCI of abduction and misleading the court.
The man stood during the session and accused law enforcement of being complicit in enforced disappearances, drawing attention to growing public frustration.
Court officers intervened to restore order as the protester continued voicing his anger over the failure to locate Kinyagia, who went missing on June 21, allegedly after a visit by DCI officers at his residence in Kinoo.
Despite the dramatic interruption, legal submissions continued, with the DCI — through its counsel — denying arresting or detaining Kinyagia and describing the allegations as “malicious and baseless.” The agency requested more time to conduct investigations.
People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, who was present in court, sharply criticized the DCI’s response, saying there had been no effort to comply with the court’s directive.
“The agencies have not shown seriousness in this matter. The court order has not been respected. It is the duty of the state to find him and account for his safety,” Karua said.
She also questioned the credibility of the affidavit presented by the DCI, citing inconsistencies and suggesting parts of it may be inaccurate or altered. Karua faulted the agency for issuing a public denial through the media rather than appearing in court with factual updates.
The DCI’s affidavit claimed Kinyagia was being investigated for alleged incitement linked to online content promoting civil unrest, including calls for a march to State House and a memorial for victims of the 2024 Gen Z protests. The agency referenced posts on platform X (formerly Twitter), attributing them to Kinyagia.
The court had previously directed that DCI boss Mohamed Amin appear in person to account for the agency’s actions and update the court on the blogger’s whereabouts. That directive remains in place for Thursday, July 3, when the matter is set to resume.
