Ndiang’ui Kinyagia’s Lawyer Speaks on Self-Abduction Claims

Ndiang’ui Kinyagia’s lawyer, Wahome Thuku, has clarified the self-abduction claims over the blogger's disappearance. 

Speaking outside Milimani Law courts on Thursday, July 3, Wahome labelled the claims as a grapevine and baseless.  

Wahome pointed out that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), in both its statement and an affidavit, confirmed that they broke into Ndiangui’s house at 11:00 p.m. on the night of his disappearance.   

“Anyone alleging staged abduction must tell us whether the DCI breaking into the house of Ndiang’ui Kinyagia was part of the self-abduction,” he stated. 

The lawyer further promised to give more information on the same after a comprehensive sit-down with his client to shed more light on the events that led to his disappearance.

Wahome also noted that the DCI was welcome to record a statement if need be, and ascertained that Ndiang’ui was a free man unless the court issued a different directive.

“We want to have a sitting with him privately, talk to him so he tells us what has been happening, and we tell him what has been happening. And if the DCI wants to record a statement, we will ensure he is guided properly.”

Blogger Ndiang’ui Kinyagia went missing from his Kinoo house in Kiambu County on June 22.

Ndiang’ui showed up in a Nairobi court on Thursday, weeks after an online uproar asking for his release had razed Kenya's social media space. 

Justice Chacha Mwita, presiding over the court hearing, barred the authorities from arresting the blogger unless they were required to record a statement at the DCI.

"In the meantime, the police will not arrest Ndiangui Kinyagia since he is now a petitioner in this matter and may be required to testify," Judge Mwita instructed.

Ndiang'ui was first reported missing with claims that he was in the custody of the DCI after he allegedly came up with a timetable for the countrywide youth protests.