NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenyan government is under intense scrutiny over the mysterious disappearance of Ndiangui Kinyagia, a 35-year-old IT expert and vocal digital activist who has now been missing for over a week.
His alleged abduction, reportedly involving state security agencies, has triggered an uproar from human rights defenders, political observers, and thousands of online users.
Kinyagia, known for his influential X handle @DacuinDa, was instrumental in mobilising digital support for the June 25 Gen Z protests.
He was last heard from on Saturday morning, June 21, after telling his mother he would be “offline for an hour.” His phone and social media accounts have since gone dark.
“By 1pm, both his phone and WhatsApp were off. I knew something was wrong,” said his mother, Margaret Rukwaro.
Alleged DCI Raid Raises Alarm
According to family members and neighbours, at least 10 unmarked Subaru vehicles—believed to be associated with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)—stormed Kinyagia’s Kinoo residence that same day.
Officers allegedly broke into the house, seized two laptops, mobile phones, passports, and documents, leaving behind a handwritten inventory with a DCI logo but no search warrant.
His house was later locked from the outside, and no official communication has been received from the DCI, Ministry of Interior, or the National Police Service, despite missing person reports filed at both Kinoo and Kikuyu police stations.
Rights Groups Call It an Enforced Disappearance
Human rights groups have condemned Kinyagia’s detention as a clear case of enforced disappearance, citing a dangerous trend by state agencies to intimidate dissenting voices.
“We reasonably believe the police are involved or know where he is. This disappearance is not only unlawful—it’s dangerous,” said Wahome Thuku, a lawyer for the family.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has filed a Habeas Corpus petition, set to be heard on Monday, June 30 at the Milimani Law Courts by Justice Chacha Mwita.
Hashtag #FreeNdianguiKinyagia Gains Momentum
The incident has sparked a national outcry, with the hashtag #FreeNdianguiKinyagia trending across social media platforms.
Advocacy groups including Amnesty International Kenya, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), and Social Justice Centres Working Group (SJCW) have called for his immediate release and accountability from the state.
“If the state believes he has committed a crime, he should be presented before a court—not abducted and held incommunicado,” said Amnesty Kenya in a statement.
Crackdown on Activists Raises Democratic Concerns
Kinyagia’s case follows the recent arrest of three other well-known activists: John Mulingwa Nzau (Garang), Mark Amiani (Generali), and Francis Mutunge Mwangi (Chebukati).
The trio, arrested near Konza City on June 26, are being held at Muthaiga Police Station on charges of incitement and malicious damage.
The KHRC has denounced the arrests as baseless and politically motivated:
“These charges represent a deliberate distortion of the truth. The three are renowned defenders of human rights and civic freedoms,” the commission said.
KHRC also warned that state-sponsored infiltrators were involved in the violence and looting during the June 25 protests, accusing police of enabling and protecting rogue elements to delegitimise peaceful assemblies.
A Dangerous Slide Into Authoritarianism?
Rights organisations have issued a stark warning: enforced disappearances and intimidation tactics are threatening Kenya’s democracy.
“This administration cannot continue to invoke the rule of law while dismantling it. The true anarchy lies not in the streets but within institutions now being weaponised against citizens,” KHRC said.
They are calling for:
- The immediate and unconditional release of Garang, Generali, and Chebukati
- Full disclosure of Ndiangui Kinyagia’s whereabouts
- An independent inquiry into the deployment of violent groups during peaceful protests
- An end to the criminalisation of civic engagement and protest
The DCI, while confirming the arrest of the three activists, has not commented publicly on Kinyagia’s case.
