Numerous social media influencers and content creators are missing following a series of arrests since last week ahead of Tuesday’s anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests countrywide.
The arrests follow the government’s crackdown on those believed to be mobilizing the nationwide protests that began last week.
Among those arrested are blogger Gabriel Oguda, a key supporter of the ongoing protests, and popular influencer Osama Otero, who has recently been hosting Spaces, a platform for Finance Bill discussions.
Oguda informed his followers of the impending arrest in the wee hours of the morning disclosing that police officers were outside his home via social media.
Did you read this?
Guys. Cops are at my gate.
— Gabriel Oguda (@gabrieloguda) June 24, 2024
His arrest was later confirmed by his brother Zachary Oguda.
I can confirm that my brother has been taken by unknown gunmen from his house 5 minutes ago.
— Zachary Oguda (@zaxoguda) June 24, 2024
#GabrielOguda
Otero informed his followers of impending arrest a few minutes after Oguda’s distress message disclosing that five people believed to be state agents were knocking at his door.
Nimekujiwa majamaa. 3AM
— Sir-Rap-A-Lot (@Osama_otero) June 25, 2024
Oguda and Otero have yet to be heard from, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
Other X users who are suspected to have been abducted are Shad Khalif, who was accosted by unknown individuals in South B before being forced into a vehicle on Sunday, and John Frank Githiaka alias Franje was taken by unidentified plain-clothe officers from his office at Beast Athletic Offices on Baringo Road in Kahawa Sukari.
Other influencers believed to have been arrested include Drey Mwangi and Harriet.
On Monday evening, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki cautioned that while the government will allow protests to go on, they would not condone any form of unlawlessness and interference of those opposed to the protests
“Non protesters and those who hold contrary views with the protesters are also bound by the same Constitutional and legal imperatives,” he said.