Nairobi — Kenya’s High Court has ordered Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to produce missing blogger Ndiangui Kinyagia in court on Tuesday or give a clear explanation for his disappearance.
Kinyagia has not been seen for ten days, prompting growing fears from family, lawyers, and human rights groups over what they suspect may be a case of enforced disappearance.
Presiding Judge Chacha Mwita made the ruling on Monday during a habeas corpus hearing an urgent application brought before the court when someone is believed to be unlawfully detained or missing under suspicious circumstances.
“This is an application of habeas corpus touching on a Kenyan who is a human being,” said Justice Mwita. “I have taken into account the fact that the second applicant has not been found for 10 days and that the life of a citizen is in danger.”
The court instructed that the application be served on all respondents, including the Inspector General’s office, by the end of Monday. Any formal responses must be filed within a week.
However, time is already running out. The judge gave the IG until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday to either physically present Kinyagia in court or provide a detailed explanation on why the blogger cannot be found.
The case has drawn public attention not only due to Kinyagia’s online presence but also because of Kenya’s troubled history with alleged disappearances, particularly involving outspoken activists and bloggers.
Human rights campaigners have raised alarm. “This isn’t just about one blogger,” said Wanjiru Mbugua, a legal officer with the Kenya Human Rights Commission. “It’s about a dangerous pattern that’s becoming all too familiar silencing critical voices through fear.”
