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Missing Activist Ndiang’ui Kinyagia Confirms He Is Alive

Ndiang’ui Kinyagia, a vocal activist and social media blogger who was reported missing in late June, has resurfaced, confirming that he is alive and in good health. Kinyagia, who had gone silent after allegedly being abducted by individuals believed to be plainclothes police officers, made contact with his family and legal team on Tuesday, July 2, assuring them of his safety but expressing fears for his life.

Kinyagia, known for sharing protest information during the Gen Z-led demonstrations in Kenya, disappeared on June 21, days before the highly charged June 25 nationwide protests. According to his lawyer, Wahome Thuku, Kinyagia went into hiding after learning he was a person of interest to security agencies. Lawyer Thuku stated that while Kinyagia is not in custody, he is willing to appear before the court—on the condition that his personal safety is guaranteed.

The revelation comes after mounting public pressure and a court order requiring Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and DCI Director Amin Mohamed to either produce Kinyagia in court or explain his whereabouts. The court’s demand followed claims that the activist was abducted in Kiambu County by masked individuals believed to be affiliated with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Throughout his disappearance, human rights groups, including the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Amnesty International Kenya, and concerned Kenyans, called for transparency and accountability. Many feared he was a victim of an enforced disappearance—a pattern some claim is becoming alarmingly common against critics of the state. The DCI had denied holding Kinyagia in custody but acknowledged he was under investigation for allegedly publishing sensitive information about planned protest routes on social media.

Kinyagia’s reappearance has sparked a wave of mixed reactions online. While many expressed relief that he is alive, others criticized him for failing to inform the public earlier, leading to widespread anxiety and mobilization around what many believed to be a state-sponsored abduction. Notably, activist Boniface Mwangi called out Kinyagia for misleading his supporters, suggesting that transparency from the start could have reduced unnecessary panic.

Despite the controversy, Kinyagia’s case has highlighted broader concerns about freedom of expression, digital surveillance, and the safety of vocal citizens in Kenya’s current political climate. His legal team has confirmed that he may present himself at the Milimani Law Courts once the necessary security arrangements are made to ensure his protection.

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