Blogger Ndiangui Kinyagia Faces Backlash as LSK and Martha Karua Withdraw from Case Over Faked Abduction Claims
Quote from Lawyer on July 25, 2025, 8:30 amThe high-profile case of IT expert and blogger Ndiangui Kinyagia, whose alleged abduction sparked widespread outrage across Kenya, has taken a dramatic turn. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Senior Counsel Martha Karua have formally withdrawn their legal representation of Kinyagia after evidence emerged suggesting he fabricated his own disappearance. The revelation has led to public criticism, legal repercussions, and a court order for Kinyagia to explain his actions.
Kinyagia, a 35-year-old activist known for his online presence under the handle "Daguin Dd" on X, was reported missing on June 21, 2025, following a raid on his Kinoo residence in Kiambu County. The raid, conducted by officers believed to be from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), involved the seizure of electronic devices, including laptops, phones, and personal documents. Neighbors reported seeing unmarked Subaru vehicles and masked individuals at Kinyagia's home, leading the LSK and his family to suspect an enforced disappearance by state agents. The incident, occurring days before the June 25 Gen Z protests, fueled national concern, with hashtags like #FreeNdianguiKinyagia trending online as Kenyans demanded answers.
The LSK, alongside prominent lawyers including Martha Karua, Kibe Mungai, and Wahome Thuku, filed a habeas corpus petition at the Milimani High Court, compelling the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and DCI Director Mohamed Amin to produce Kinyagia or explain his whereabouts. The petition described the incident as a violation of constitutional rights, accusing state agencies of unlawful detention. The court, presided over by Justice Chacha Mwita, issued orders on June 30, 2025, demanding Kinyagia's production, dead or alive, and summoned Kanja and Amin to appear in court.
On July 3, 2025, Kinyagia resurfaced at the Milimani Law Courts, accompanied by his family and lawyers, wearing a maroon hooded sweatshirt, face mask, and glasses. His reappearance, after 13 days of absence, shocked the nation. His lawyer, Wahome Thuku, revealed that Kinyagia had contacted his family on July 1, confirming he was safe and had been in hiding out of fear for his life. Kinyagia claimed he went underground after learning DCI officers were pursuing him over an inflammatory social media post. The post, shared on his X account, featured Kenya's coat of arms and outlined a protest timetable, including a march to State House and the formation of a "transition council" for the June 25 protests, which authorities flagged as inciting.
The revelation that Kinyagia had not been abducted but had voluntarily hidden sparked outrage among Kenyans and his legal team. The LSK, led by President Faith Odhiambo, cited conflicting affidavits as the reason for their withdrawal. An affidavit filed on July 3 by Kinyagia's cousin, Lilian Wanjiku Gitonga, claimed he had called her during his disappearance to confirm he was safe, contradicting the LSK's initial narrative of an enforced disappearance. Lawyer Kibe Mungai further noted that the family had amended an affidavit without his input, resulting in discrepancies that undermined the case. The LSK stated that these contradictions made continued representation untenable, as they risked the organization's credibility.
During a court session on July 24, 2025, Kinyagia appeared before Justice Mwita, pleading for protection from arrest and expressing fear for his safety. He requested an extension of interim orders barring the police from detaining him and additional time to review court documents. Justice Mwita granted Kinyagia 14 days to file an affidavit explaining his disappearance and reappearance, emphasizing the national significance of the case. The judge also extended protective orders, barring police from arresting Kinyagia unless he commits another offense, and scheduled the next hearing for September 16, 2025.
Public sentiment has been sharply divided. Prominent activist Boniface Mwangi condemned Kinyagia, calling his actions "criminal" and accusing him and his family of misleading the nation. Mwangi highlighted the public and legal resources mobilized for Kinyagia's cause, only to discover he was in hiding. Other Kenyans echoed this sentiment, expressing frustration that the incident could undermine future habeas corpus applications for genuine victims of state oppression. Some, however, sympathized with Kinyagia's fear of arrest, citing the DCI's raid on his home as justification for his actions.
The DCI, through Director Mohamed Amin, maintained that Kinyagia was never in their custody and remains a person of interest due to his protest-related posts. Amin confirmed that officers conducted a lawful search at Kinyagia's residence, seizing devices as part of their investigation. The agency also cautioned against false abduction claims, stating they cause public panic and constitute criminal conduct.
Kinyagia's case has raised broader concerns about state actions against dissenters, particularly in the context of the Gen Z protests. The LSK and human rights groups have criticized the government for alleged abductions and unconstitutional tactics, while the state has accused activists of spreading inflammatory content. As the September 16 hearing approaches, Kinyagia's affidavit and potential cross-examination of him, his cousin, and his mother, Margaret Rukwaro, will be critical in clarifying the circumstances of his disappearance.
The case continues to unfold, with Kenyans awaiting answers to whether Kinyagia's actions were a calculated deception or a desperate response to perceived threats. The withdrawal of LSK and Martha Karua underscores the complexity of the situation, leaving Kinyagia to navigate the legal and public fallout with his remaining counsel, Kibe Mungai and Wahome Thuku.
The high-profile case of IT expert and blogger Ndiangui Kinyagia, whose alleged abduction sparked widespread outrage across Kenya, has taken a dramatic turn. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Senior Counsel Martha Karua have formally withdrawn their legal representation of Kinyagia after evidence emerged suggesting he fabricated his own disappearance. The revelation has led to public criticism, legal repercussions, and a court order for Kinyagia to explain his actions.
Kinyagia, a 35-year-old activist known for his online presence under the handle "Daguin Dd" on X, was reported missing on June 21, 2025, following a raid on his Kinoo residence in Kiambu County. The raid, conducted by officers believed to be from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), involved the seizure of electronic devices, including laptops, phones, and personal documents. Neighbors reported seeing unmarked Subaru vehicles and masked individuals at Kinyagia's home, leading the LSK and his family to suspect an enforced disappearance by state agents. The incident, occurring days before the June 25 Gen Z protests, fueled national concern, with hashtags like #FreeNdianguiKinyagia trending online as Kenyans demanded answers.
The LSK, alongside prominent lawyers including Martha Karua, Kibe Mungai, and Wahome Thuku, filed a habeas corpus petition at the Milimani High Court, compelling the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and DCI Director Mohamed Amin to produce Kinyagia or explain his whereabouts. The petition described the incident as a violation of constitutional rights, accusing state agencies of unlawful detention. The court, presided over by Justice Chacha Mwita, issued orders on June 30, 2025, demanding Kinyagia's production, dead or alive, and summoned Kanja and Amin to appear in court.
On July 3, 2025, Kinyagia resurfaced at the Milimani Law Courts, accompanied by his family and lawyers, wearing a maroon hooded sweatshirt, face mask, and glasses. His reappearance, after 13 days of absence, shocked the nation. His lawyer, Wahome Thuku, revealed that Kinyagia had contacted his family on July 1, confirming he was safe and had been in hiding out of fear for his life. Kinyagia claimed he went underground after learning DCI officers were pursuing him over an inflammatory social media post. The post, shared on his X account, featured Kenya's coat of arms and outlined a protest timetable, including a march to State House and the formation of a "transition council" for the June 25 protests, which authorities flagged as inciting.
The revelation that Kinyagia had not been abducted but had voluntarily hidden sparked outrage among Kenyans and his legal team. The LSK, led by President Faith Odhiambo, cited conflicting affidavits as the reason for their withdrawal. An affidavit filed on July 3 by Kinyagia's cousin, Lilian Wanjiku Gitonga, claimed he had called her during his disappearance to confirm he was safe, contradicting the LSK's initial narrative of an enforced disappearance. Lawyer Kibe Mungai further noted that the family had amended an affidavit without his input, resulting in discrepancies that undermined the case. The LSK stated that these contradictions made continued representation untenable, as they risked the organization's credibility.
During a court session on July 24, 2025, Kinyagia appeared before Justice Mwita, pleading for protection from arrest and expressing fear for his safety. He requested an extension of interim orders barring the police from detaining him and additional time to review court documents. Justice Mwita granted Kinyagia 14 days to file an affidavit explaining his disappearance and reappearance, emphasizing the national significance of the case. The judge also extended protective orders, barring police from arresting Kinyagia unless he commits another offense, and scheduled the next hearing for September 16, 2025.
Public sentiment has been sharply divided. Prominent activist Boniface Mwangi condemned Kinyagia, calling his actions "criminal" and accusing him and his family of misleading the nation. Mwangi highlighted the public and legal resources mobilized for Kinyagia's cause, only to discover he was in hiding. Other Kenyans echoed this sentiment, expressing frustration that the incident could undermine future habeas corpus applications for genuine victims of state oppression. Some, however, sympathized with Kinyagia's fear of arrest, citing the DCI's raid on his home as justification for his actions.
The DCI, through Director Mohamed Amin, maintained that Kinyagia was never in their custody and remains a person of interest due to his protest-related posts. Amin confirmed that officers conducted a lawful search at Kinyagia's residence, seizing devices as part of their investigation. The agency also cautioned against false abduction claims, stating they cause public panic and constitute criminal conduct.
Kinyagia's case has raised broader concerns about state actions against dissenters, particularly in the context of the Gen Z protests. The LSK and human rights groups have criticized the government for alleged abductions and unconstitutional tactics, while the state has accused activists of spreading inflammatory content. As the September 16 hearing approaches, Kinyagia's affidavit and potential cross-examination of him, his cousin, and his mother, Margaret Rukwaro, will be critical in clarifying the circumstances of his disappearance.
The case continues to unfold, with Kenyans awaiting answers to whether Kinyagia's actions were a calculated deception or a desperate response to perceived threats. The withdrawal of LSK and Martha Karua underscores the complexity of the situation, leaving Kinyagia to navigate the legal and public fallout with his remaining counsel, Kibe Mungai and Wahome Thuku.