An aide to journalist Scophine Aoko Otieno, alias Maverick Aoko Otieno, has detailed the last moments before the social media figure went missing a few days ago.
On Monday, October 28, the aide posted a statement on Aoko's X account claiming that the outspoken social media commentator went missing after sharing a specific post online.
The aide noted that Aoko has been staying at her rural home, only traveling to Nairobi when required for court appearances.
This after she faced charges in August for allegedly publishing false information on her X account before she was released on a cash bail of Ksh100,000.
"Hi, this is Aoko's aide. I'm tweeting using her account with the blessings of her dad. After her arrest, she opted to stay with family upcountry only going to Nairobi for meetings & court," read part of the statement.
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Upon her return to Nairobi two weeks ago, Aoko reportedly discovered that her main door had been broken at the hinges, causing her considerable alarm.
The aide added that Aoko kept the incident quiet to avoid drawing attention and mentioned that her residence’s caretaker reported sightings of unfamiliar men asking for her whereabouts.
"She called me panicked. I asked her to take pictures and leave. She decided not to say it to prevent drawing attention that she was around. Her caretaker & watchman also reported of strange men hovering around, asking of her whereabouts."
The aide stated that Aoko was later interviewed by AFP before she made a post on X then went missing and her whereabouts are still unknown.
"After her tweet on Mr. "F", she went incognito, which we (family & friends) thought it normal, perhaps she just wanted to confuse enemies. We still don't know her whereabouts," the aide claimed.
The aide added, "Whom do we report to? Same police who told her lawyers point-blank, 'we are coming for her.' If they took her, we're asking that they produce her, if she is hiding, we pray that she is safe and will reach out in whatever discreet way just so we can all have peace of mind."
This comes after Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo called for the immediate release of Aoko.
Odhiambo on Sunday requested the public for any information on the whereabouts of the social media figure, maintaining that every life counts.
"We have heard that she (Aoko) is missing and we are asking for any information. Our hotline is still working. Please reach out to the LSK. Every life counts. We ask that whoever is holding her that she should be released effective immediately," Odhiambo stated.
Kenyans on X have been calling for the release of Aoko through the hashtag #FreeAoko. No communication regarding the incident has been made by the authorities yet.
