The mystery surrounding the disappearance of renowned digital activist Ndiang’ui Kinyagia has finally been unraveled after he contacted his family, confirming he is alive, safe, and in hiding — citing fear for his life due to alleged pursuit by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
In a statement issued by family lawyer Wahome Thuku, Kinyagia reportedly reached out to a close relative on Wednesday evening from an undisclosed location. He assured them he is in good health, but went underground after learning that he was being sought by DCI agents over unspecified allegations.
“He made it clear that he feared for his life and chose to go into hiding to protect himself,” said Thuku.
The revelation brings a dramatic twist to a story that had gripped the nation for a week, triggering a wave of concern on social media and renewed scrutiny of state surveillance on vocal digital influencers. The hashtag #WhereIsKinyagia dominated online platforms for days, with civil society groups and concerned citizens demanding answers.
Kinyagia, who is widely followed on social media for his outspoken commentary on governance and state accountability, has since expressed willingness to present himself before the authorities — but only if his safety can be guaranteed.
“He is prepared to appear before a court of law and respond to any allegations. But he wants assurances that his constitutional rights will be protected,” the lawyer said.
According to the legal team, Kinyagia will appear before the High Court at Milimani Law Courts on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM. The court appearance is expected to draw wide public attention, with human rights groups already mobilizing to monitor the proceedings.
Meanwhile, activists and watchdog organizations are demanding a transparent inquiry into the circumstances that led to the activist’s disappearance, warning against what they term as a growing culture of intimidation against dissenting voices in the digital space.
This developing story underscores Kenya’s delicate balance between national security and civil liberties, and Kinyagia’s case may well become a landmark moment in the evolving debate over freedom of expression in the digital age.
