Political activist Morara Kebaso was on Monday evening arrested at his Kahawa Sukari offices under unclear circumstances and electronic devices including phones and laptops seized.
Kebaso is known for using his social media handles to expose how billions of shillings have been stolen on ghost projects nationwide.
The 28-year-old was allegedly forcibly taken from his Kahawa Sukari offices in Nairobi, bundled into a waiting Subaru Forester vehicle and driven to Nairobi Regional Police headquarters.
Initially, Kebaso was taken to the Regional Police Headquarters in Nairobi, with reports circulating that he was being transferred to Kiambu’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters.
However, his lawyer denied these allegations, claiming that the vocal activist is still at the Regional Police Headquarters.
“Morara is still at the Regional Police Headquarters in Nairobi. Ignore all rumours that he has been transferred!” Pareno Solonka stated in a video shared on the social platform X.
The reasons for Kebaso’s arrest are unclear, but he had reported being followed by government agents in late August.
“If I worry too much, I will not be able to continue my work. What I am doing is extremely risky. I have experienced incidents where my phone was tracked and vehicles with untraceable number plates were seen near my home,” he said.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka expressed his displeasure at how Kebaso was arrested. He criticised the government for allowing arbitrary arrests to take place in the country.
“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 court in the next few hours; or else this government will lose its legitimacy completely!” he posted on his X (formerly Twitter) platform.
Before his arrest, Kebaso, who calls himself the leader of the Inclusive National Justice Economic and Transformation (INJECT) Party of Kenya posted a video where he condemned the brutal manner in which an activist based in Mombasa was tortured by persons allegedly hired by senior county officials.
He then called on the state security agencies to quickly investigate the matter and arrest Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir.
“The governor should be investigated and arrested. If it is not done then I am ready to suspend all activities for nationwide demonstration,” he said.
Several activists and lawyers who rushed to the Nairobi regional police headquarters were denied access to the lawyer. A move that prompted them to chant songs of freedom and demand Kebaso’s immediate release.
Kebaso has been actively touring the country to expose stalled government projects and highlight what he sees as widespread corruption.
He has become a vocal critic of President William Ruto, claiming that many of his initiatives are either stalled or yet to be launched.
