NAIROBI, Kenya – The High Court has issued a compelling directive to the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mohamed Amin, and Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to produce missing blogger and activist Ndiangui Kinyagia in court—“whether dead or alive.”
Justice Chacha Mwita delivered the ruling on Tuesday during a habeas corpus hearing filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), following Kinyagia’s mysterious disappearance on June 21.
“The DCI officers visited his residence, and they are the only ones who were there when he disappeared,” Justice Mwita noted, raising concerns over the state’s role in the incident.
The judge questioned the reliability of the police account, pointing out that the key witness—a caretaker allegedly present during a police search at Kinyagia’s Kinoo residence—had not filed a sworn affidavit.
“We need an explanation of where the person is,” Mwita added.
He further ordered DCI boss Amin to appear in person before the court on Thursday, July 3, to respond to the matter.
Kinyagia, known for his vocal support of the recent Gen Z protests, has not been seen or heard from since June 21.
In a replying affidavit, Sergeant Samuel Itegi of the DCI claimed Kinyagia was under investigation for allegedly inciting the public via an X account that encouraged protesters to “storm and occupy State House.”
Police said they traced Kinyagia’s location and conducted a search of his home after finding it locked.
Under Section 60 of the National Police Service Act, officers forcibly entered and seized personal items including laptops, phones, passports, and a vaccination certificate.
However, Kinyagia himself was not found and has yet to be produced in any police facility or court.
The State insists he was not arrested, but his continued disappearance has raised alarm from civil society groups and legal experts who fear the possibility of enforced disappearance.
The case is scheduled to return to court on July 3 for further directions.
