Fresh details have emerged regarding the arrest of activist Morara Kebaso on Monday, September 30, at his Kahawa Sukari office in Nairobi.
According to his security officer, Geoffrey, who spoke to journalists at the Regional Police Headquarters, Kebaso was apprehended by a group of six masked men, raising concerns about the nature of the arrest.
Geoffrey revealed that the men stormed the office after he opened the gate for them.
Only one of the individuals identified himself by flashing a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) identity card, claiming to be an officer from the DCI.
The group proceeded to Kebaso’s office, where they immediately handcuffed him and confiscated his electronic devices, including an iPhone, a Samsung phone, and his laptop.
After seizing these items, Kebaso was forcibly bundled into a car bearing registration number KCQ 166J, and driven to the Regional Police Headquarters.
At the time of the arrest, no reason had been given for Kebaso’s detention.
This lack of transparency led to widespread concern, with many Kenyans taking to social media to express their outrage.
A big number of netizens labeled the incident as an abduction, arguing that the government was violating human rights by carrying out such arbitrary arrests.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka was among the public figures who voiced their dissatisfaction with the incident.
He condemned the arrest, describing it as alarming and called for the immediate release of Morara Kebaso.
Onyonka wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “It is appalling that abductions and arbitrary arrests are ongoing in the country. The young man Morara Kebaso MUST be released immediately or presented to the court in the next few hours, or else this government will lose its legitimacy completely.”
The arrest also sparked protests outside the Regional Police Headquarters, where a crowd gathered demanding Kebaso’s release.
The protestors were met with resistance, and the police were forced to disperse the crowd by firing tear gas canisters.
This further heightened tensions as more citizens expressed their frustration with what they described as a violation of basic rights.
Kebaso is a well-known activist, and his arrest has become a symbol of growing concerns regarding human rights and the freedom of expression in Kenya.
His supporters and human rights advocates have called on the government to uphold the rule of law and ensure that individuals are not subjected to unlawful arrests or harassment for exercising their right to free speech.
Details about the charges against Morara Kebaso were yet to be revealed, leaving many waiting for answers and justice for the activist.
The incident has ignited a national conversation about the treatment of activists and the government’s responsibility to safeguard the rights of its citizens.
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