The National Police Service (NPS) has issued a strongly worded statement denying allegations that it was involved in the disappearance of activist Ndiangui Kinyagia, who resurfaced on Wednesday and appeared in court after days of reported absence.
Kinyagia, whose family and lawyers had claimed he was missing under suspicious circumstances, is said to have emerged from hiding and presented himself in court on 3rd July. His apparent disappearance had sparked public outrage and widespread speculation, with many pointing fingers at the police.
However, in a press statement released on Wednesday, the NPS maintained that Kinyagia was not in police custody at any point. The service has now urged him to report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to record a statement, noting that he remains a person of interest.
“The Service reiterates its earlier response that Ndiangui Kinyagia was not in police custody,” the statement read. “We take great exception to the emerging trend whereby individuals feign abduction and provide false information to the police, intending to generate a misleading narrative.”
The police accused individuals of exploiting public sympathy through what they called “stage-managed abductions,” warning that such acts are criminal offences.
“These criminal acts undermine the integrity of our law enforcement efforts, damage the reputation of the National Police Service, and cause anxiety to the public,” the statement added.
The NPS further reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional principles, including impartiality, political neutrality, and operational independence.
Kinyagia’s resurfacing marks the latest chapter in a case that has generated national attention and reignited concerns over enforced disappearances in Kenya. While the police insist they had no role in his disappearance, his legal team maintains he went into hiding for his own safety amid threats.
The matter remains under investigation.
