High Court Orders Inspector General to Produce Missing Blogger Ndiagui Kiangui
In a bold move to uphold constitutional rights and stem the tide of suspected enforced disappearances, the High Court has ordered Kenya’s Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to produce missing blogger Ndiagui Kiangui in court.
The order, issued by Justice Chacha Mwita, compels the police chief to either present Kiangui by 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday or provide a convincing explanation for his continued absence. The directive follows a habeas corpus application filed by parties concerned about the blogger’s safety and the legality of his detention.
Ndiagui Kiangui has been missing for over ten days, sparking widespread concern among family members, civil society organizations, and press freedom advocates. His disappearance adds to a worrying pattern of alleged abductions and incommunicado detentions targeting activists, bloggers, and critics of the state.
The court order marks a significant development, reinforcing the judiciary’s commitment to protecting individual liberties and checking excesses by law enforcement agencies.
Justice Mwita emphasized the urgency of the matter, noting that the blogger’s life could be in danger. He ordered that the application be served to the Inspector General immediately and that any response from the police be filed within seven days. Should the police fail to comply with the directive, the court has the power to hold the Inspector General in contempt—a move that would carry serious legal consequences.
This is not the first time Justice Mwita has intervened in cases involving the alleged disappearance of civilians. Earlier in 2025, he summoned both IG Kanja and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Mohammed Amin to explain the disappearance of other individuals linked to political protests.
The pattern of court intervention reflects a growing concern over the role of security agencies in alleged illegal detentions and the shrinking space for free expression.
Despite the court’s directive, the National Police Service has remained silent on the matter, offering no information about Kiangui’s whereabouts. Human rights defenders and media watchdogs have decried the lack of transparency and are demanding the immediate release—or at the very least, the lawful presentation—of the missing blogger.
The ruling has broader implications for governance and the rule of law in Kenya. It reinforces the constitutional guarantee that no individual—no matter their political stance or digital footprint—should be deprived of their liberty without due process.
It also sends a clear message to state agencies that accountability is non-negotiable and that the courts are ready to uphold justice even in politically sensitive cases.
