Long-serving journalist Evans Nyakundi of People Daily was arrested on Sunday morning in Nyamira County following a warrant issued by the High Court over an alleged defamation case involving a county government employee.
The arrest was carried out by officers attached to Nyamira Police Station, who reportedly acted on a court directive issued earlier in the week.
Nyakundi’s lawyer, Charles Nyamwange, confirmed the incident, stating that while officers had a warrant in hand, the exact terms and content of the order remained unclear at the time of arrest.
“There is still uncertainty about the nature of the arrest warrant that was executed this morning. We are yet to receive full details on what specific statements or publications are at the center of this case,” Nyamwange said.
Despite pressing for more information, the lawyer refrained from discussing the alleged defamatory content or identifying the county employee behind the complaint, citing legal sensitivities.
Police sources in Nyamira affirmed that the warrant originated from the High Court and that Nyakundi is scheduled to appear before the same court on Monday for mention of the case.
Nyakundi, a seasoned journalist with decades of experience reporting in the Gusii region, has been known for his bold reporting on local governance and public interest matters.
His arrest has stirred concern among local press freedom advocates, who are calling for transparency in the proceedings and respect for media rights as the case unfolds.
