Justice Chacha Mwita sent a strong warning to Inspector General Douglas Kanja at Milimani Law Courts on Tuesday. The judge was clearly angry after the police leadership failed to show up in person for a hearing about the disappearance of blogger Ndiang’ui Kinyagia.
The judge had already given clear orders for Kinyagia to be brought to court, but neither the Inspector General nor the DCI boss Amin Mohamed came.
Instead, state lawyers showed up to represent them, which only made things worse.During the session, things got tense when a man in the courtroom stood up and shouted at the state lawyers. He accused the police of being behind the rising number of forced disappearances.
Court officers quickly moved in to calm the situation, but the emotions in the room stayed high. The man’s actions reflected what many Kenyans are feeling about the growing trend of state critics going missing without a trace.
The missing blogger, Kinyagia, is a digital activist who had been vocal online about government actions and had even announced a protest just before he disappeared.
Kinyagia was last seen on June 22, shortly before the protest he was planning. His disappearance became more worrying after reports came out that police officers raided his house and took away his phones and computers.
Even though the DCI later said they did not have him in custody, people remain suspicious.
The fact that his electronics were taken during the same period he went missing has raised doubts about the official explanation.
Many now believe the state may be using the police to silence voices that criticize the government. More questions are being asked about DCI boss Amin, who has been speaking to the media instead of properly responding to court orders. Critics see this as a way of ignoring the court and showing disrespect to the rule of law.
They say it sends the message that powerful state officers can do what they want without facing consequences.The failure of the police leaders to appear in court, and the continued silence around Kinyagia’s whereabouts, have led to more fear and anger among citizens.
Justice Mwita’s remarks in court were not just about one missing person. They showed the larger concern that Kenyan institutions are failing to protect rights and instead helping to cover up abuse.
The public now waits to see if Kinyagia will be found and if those responsible for his disappearance will be held accountable.
Leave feedback about this