Morara Kebaso, activist, has reportedly been arrested at his office in Kahawa Sukari and taken in police custody.
His colleague, lawyer Pareno Solonka, stated that both legal representatives and journalists have been denied access to Kebaso, despite their request.
This development has raised significant concerns regarding police conduct and the treatment of activists in the country.
According to lawyer Pareno Solonka, a close associate of Kebaso, the activist is currently being held at the Regional Police Headquarters for undisclosed reasons.
Solonka criticized the police for not respecting constitutional rights and the rule of law.
Kebaso’s arrest follows his recent claims of being pursued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) due to his activism against government corruption.
He expressed concerns for his safety and detailed an incident where he evaded a potential arrest during protests by hiding in a neighbor’s car.
He also alleged that the DCI uses triangulation to track suspects through their phones.
In an update shared on X (formerly Twitter) on September 30, Solonka stated that access to Kebaso has been denied to both legal representatives and members of the press. “Morara is being detained at the Regional Police Headquarters.
The police officers have declined to allow access to Morara, even to me as his lawyer,” Solonka wrote.
He further criticized the situation, saying, “The police at the gate have said they have clear instructions from the top not to allow any lawyer or media person to see Morara. What kind of police service do we have here? They have no respect for the constitution and no respect for the rule of law… We should condemn it in the strongest way possible.”
This arrest comes just a month after Kebaso publicly claimed that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is pursuing him due to his vocal stance against government corruption.
In an interview on August 26, he expressed a profound sense of insecurity, particularly when offline.
“My family is scared to death, especially when I seek out these fake projects and they realize I’ve turned off my phone or am not answering their calls,” he shared.Kebaso recounted a particularly alarming incident during the Nane Nane protests, where he successfully evaded arrest by monitoring CCTV footage.
Noticing a suspicious double-cabin vehicle parked outside his home, he discovered that its license plate was not registered with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
In a bid to escape, he climbed over a wall and hid in a neighbor’s car, ensuring he could still participate in the demonstrations.
“I woke up, checked the CCTV, and noticed a double-cabin car parked at the gate. The number plate wasn’t registered on NTSA, so I left it there, climbed the wall, and went to my neighbor’s place. I hid in his car’s boot, and he took me with him.
That’s how I attended the Nane Nane demos. I’m certain they are following me,” he recounted.Additionally, Kebaso has raised concerns about the DCI’s methods, alleging that they employ triangulation techniques to track suspects through their phone communications.
These claims underscore a growing apprehension among activists regarding surveillance and the potential for state intimidation.
As the situation develops, many are calling for accountability and transparency from law enforcement, emphasizing the need for respect for civil rights and the rule of law.
The denial of access to legal representation raises critical questions about the protection of rights for individuals in custody, particularly those involved in activism.
