An emotional scene unfolded in the courtroom as Ndiang’u’i’s mother broke down in tears and embraced her son after days of uncertainty about his whereabouts.
Blogger Ndiang’ui Kinyagia, who had been reported missing for over a week, was presented in court on Thursday morning, bringing an unexpected turn to a case that had triggered national concern and judicial intervention.
Kinyagia appeared before Milimani Law Courts, escorted by lawyers Kibe Mungai and Senior Counsel Martha Karua.
This came after orders to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), earlier in the week by Justice Chacha Mwita, that the blogger be produced in court dead or alive.
An emotional scene unfolded in the courtroom as Ndiang’u’i’s mother broke down in tears and embraced her son after days of uncertainty about his whereabouts.
Earlier Thursday, family lawyer Wahome Thuku released a statement confirming that Ndiang’ui had contacted a relative late Tuesday evening.
According to the statement, he was in good health and had gone into hiding out of fear after learning that officers from the DCI were allegedly pursuing him over unspecified allegations.
“Mr. Ndiang’ui indicated to the family member that he had hidden temporarily for fear of his life upon learning that DCI officers were looking for him over unknown criminal allegations,” Thuku said.
Thuku added that Kinyagia had expressed readiness to cooperate with authorities and present himself before the DCI and the courts , provided that his safety was guaranteed.
“He is ready and willing to present himself to the DCI and to be presented before any court of law when his safety and security are guaranteed,” he stated.
Public Backlash and Accusations of Misdirection
The case, which had initially galvanized public support and fears of enforced disappearance, has now sparked a sharp backlash after it emerged that Ndiang’ui had voluntarily gone into hiding.
Some have criticized the apparent deception, arguing it undermines credible efforts to address police abuses and forced disappearances in Kenya.
Prominent activist Boniface Mwangi condemned Kinyagia’s actions as “wrong and criminal,” accusing him and his family of misleading the nation.
“An entire country was fighting for his release, and praying for his safety thinking he was abducted, but all this time he was in hiding! Shame on him, and his family for misleading an entire nation. Kasongo Yeye!” Mwangi wrote on social media.
Former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi echoed the criticism, warning that the incident risked discrediting genuine advocacy against police impunity.
“Ndiang’ui Kinyagia has given undeserved credence to positions taken by NPS and DCI on police abductions,” Havi stated.
“He embarrassed a well-meaning judge and dedicated public efforts to rein in police impunity. The single incident should however not derail momentum for police accountability.”
Wider Implications and Calls for Accountability
The incident has reignited debate over how such cases should be handled, particularly in a country where forced disappearances and extrajudicial actions by state agencies remain serious concerns.
Many now fear that false alarms could erode public trust and stall progress on long-standing human rights issues.
While some continue to express sympathy for Ndiang’u’i’s fears, others are demanding accountability and transparency, urging that future efforts to combat state abuse must be rooted in truth.
Ndiang’ui disappeared on June 21, 2025, after allegedly making a controversial post in regard to the June 25, 2025 protests.