Martha Karua has criticised the National Police Service (NPS) for summoning blogger Ndiang’ui Kinyagia to record a statement, saying the matter is still before the court and must follow legal procedures.
Speaking on Thursday, July 3, Karua — who is also Kinyagia’s lawyer — said the police had no legal ground to summon him since they are still suspects in an ongoing case. She insisted that any information or evidence the police may have should be submitted to the court through proper channels, not through public summons.
“This is not even funny, the matter is subjudice. We shall conclude which way after full information. You remain a suspect until the court pronounces itself on the matter,” Karua said in her statement.
“Whatever facts in your possession should be directed to the court by way of affidavits as directed,” she added.
Karua’s remarks came shortly after NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed in a statement that Kinyagia had been summoned to appear before the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to record a statement.
Nyaga said that although Kinyagia had been reported missing and accusations of abduction by the police had circulated online, the blogger was still considered a person of interest in an ongoing investigation.
“Ndiangui Kinyagia had been reported missing, and information circulating on social as well as mainstream media accused the Police Service of allegedly abducting him. Nonetheless, he remains a person of interest to the police,” Nyaga stated.
NPS also strongly denied having any role in Kinyagia’s disappearance. Nyaga accused some individuals of creating false abduction claims to provoke public outrage and mislead the public.
“The Service reiterates its earlier response that Ndiangui Kinyagia was not in police custody,” Nyaga added. “We take great exception to the emerging trend whereby individuals feign abduction and provide false information to the police... thereby distorting the truth rather than focusing on justice.”
Earlier in the day, Justice Chacha Mwita issued an order barring police from arresting Kinyagia, stating that he is now a petitioner in the case and may be called to testify.
“He should be presented by his advocate and not arrested or detained until further orders of this court,” the judge ruled.
Kinyagia had been missing for several days before resurfacing on Thursday, with his lawyer Wahome Thuku confirming that he had been in hiding.
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