NAIROBI, Kenya – The High Court has awarded tech entrepreneur Ndiang’ui Kinyagia Sh5 million after finding violations of his constitutional rights during a 2025 police operation at his home in Kinoo.
The court also barred the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from relying on the investigative process that the court found unconstitutional to prosecute Kinyagia.
The ruling marks a significant development in a case that attracted national attention after Kinyagia became linked to a viral timetable for the June 25 protests.
Court faults investigative process
The case arose from a police investigation targeting Kinyagia after he published material relating to planned June 25 demonstrations.
The High Court found that aspects of the State’s investigative process violated his constitutional rights and ordered compensation.
The court’s orders mean that the police and prosecution cannot simply rely on the impugned investigative process as the basis for prosecuting him over the matter.
An earlier ruling in the case had also found that authorities continued holding Kinyagia’s laptop and mobile phones beyond the period authorised by a court order for purposes of investigation.
Kinyagia linked to viral June 25 timetable
Kinyagia had attracted attention after a protest timetable circulated online ahead of the June 25 demonstrations.
The timetable proposed a series of activities beginning with prayers, praise and worship, followed by a moment of silence for people killed during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests and speeches by bereaved families.
It subsequently outlined planned confrontations with police and gatherings at major Nairobi roundabouts.
The document also proposed a march to State House, lowering the UDA presidential standard, raising the Kenyan flag, declaring a new republic and swearing in a transition council.
The proposals prompted investigators to treat the publication as a serious security matter.
Police raided Kinoo home
The controversy escalated after police officers raided Kinyagia’s home in Kinoo in June 2025.
His disappearance following the raid triggered a habeas corpus case and widespread concern from rights groups and lawyers. Kinyagia later appeared in court alive.
Reports at the time said police had seized electronic devices and other personal items during the search. The authorities said they were investigating him over material linked to the planned protests.
The High Court subsequently ordered safeguards around any further interaction between Kinyagia and investigators, including protection against arrest at that stage and requirements concerning the recording of any statement.
What the Sh5 million award means
The compensation awarded to Kinyagia is a finding that his constitutional rights were violated during the investigative process.
The court’s order against reliance on that process also limits the State’s ability to use the impugned investigation as a shortcut to prosecution.
Case comes amid scrutiny of protest policing
The ruling comes against a wider backdrop of legal scrutiny over the handling of June 25 demonstrations.
Rights organisations have challenged police actions during the commemorations, including arrests, roadblocks and alleged excessive use of force. IPOA separately opened investigations into alleged police misconduct during the June 25, 2026 demonstrations.
The High Court has also recently dealt with separate proceedings concerning police roadblocks mounted during the June 25, 2026 commemorations.
