Blogger and IT expert Ndiangui Kinyagia has expressed fear for his life, urging the High Court to protect him from what he terms as a looming threat of arrest by state agents. Speaking during a court session, he pleaded for the extension of previous orders barring his arrest, citing the potential danger he faces if taken into custody.
Kinyagia, who appeared before Justice Chacha Mwita, said he is terrified of what might happen to him in the hands of authorities. He requested the court not only to maintain the protective orders but also to grant him additional time to review legal documents relevant to his case. He also expressed readiness to testify once adequately prepared.
The case took an unexpected twist when Senior Counsel Martha Karua and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) announced their intention to withdraw from representing Kinyagia. Karua explained that conflicting instructions and concerns about transparency had led to their decision to cease acting in the case. She revealed that the necessary affidavit to this effect had already been served to the family’s lawyer.
Lawyer Kibe Mungai, representing Kinyagia’s cousin and family, told the court that he initially coordinated closely with the LSK and Kinyagia. He was involved in drafting an affidavit based on Kinyagia’s account. However, complications arose when the family submitted an amended version of the affidavit without his involvement. The new document reportedly differed significantly from the original narrative Kibe had received, prompting concerns over consistency and legal strategy.
Tension around the case heightened further due to conflicting reports from the family. In earlier proceedings, the LSK president had informed the court that Kinyagia’s claims of disappearance did not align with statements made by his cousin, Lilian Wanjiku Gitonga. According to her, Kinyagia had contacted her while in hiding, assuring her he was safe.
Following the developments, the court extended the no-arrest orders indefinitely and directed Kinyagia to file a formal affidavit and appoint new legal representation within 14 days. Both Kinyagia and his cousin are scheduled to testify and be cross-examined on September 16, 2025. The upcoming session is expected to clarify the inconsistencies and determine the next course of the case.
