Nairobi, Kenya — The High Court has issued a decisive order compelling Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to produce missing blogger Ndiagui Kiangui or provide a satisfactory explanation for his whereabouts amid growing fears of enforced disappearance.
Presiding over the habeas corpus application on Monday, Justice Chacha Mwita expressed deep concern over the 10-day silence regarding Kiangui’s location, noting that the prolonged uncertainty posed a serious threat to the blogger’s life and fundamental rights.
“This is an application of habeas corpus touching on a Kenyan who is a human being… 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,” Justice Mwita ruled.
The judge directed that the application be served on all respondents by the close of business on Monday and ordered that responses be filed within seven days. However, signaling the urgency of the matter, he further ordered the Inspector General to either produce Kiangui in court or provide a compelling explanation for his disappearance by 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, during an in-person mention of the case.
The habeas corpus application was filed following widespread concern from Kiangui’s family, friends, and human rights groups, who have raised the alarm over his unexplained disappearance, suspected to be linked to security agencies.
The case has fueled fresh scrutiny of the conduct of law enforcement agencies in Kenya, particularly over allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial actions — issues that have drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups and international observers.
The court’s ruling now places the spotlight on the police leadership, as they face mounting pressure to account for Kiangui’s fate and uphold constitutional protections for all citizens.
By Were Kelly
