Activist Boniface Mwangi went missing for hours yesterday after he was picked by police from his Machakos home.
He was later traced to Kamkunji police station in Nairobi where he was detained. This is almost 50 km from where he had been picked up.
His wife Njeri Mwangi, who traced the activist to the station, said police accused him of inciting the public. “They are holding him over claims of incitement to violence. It is all about this marathon,” she said.
It is not clear if he will be taken to court but his family and lawyers were making efforts to release him.
Boni’s arrest happened ahead of his planned protests at the Standard Chartered marathon, that took place yesterday.
The marathon went on uninterrupted amid heavy security. Security was enhanced at the event with major roads blocked.
Police said they fear his followers would infiltrate the event and cause violence. There was no immediate comment from police on the move to pick and detain Mwangi.
But an officer who did not want to be named said the detention was the work of state agencies as a precautionary measure to forestall the planned protests.
Mwangi called for protests at the marathon, which raised concerns among the state security agencies and organisers.
There were fears the protests would ruin the image of the marathon and attract attention. “If you get the shepherd the sheep will run and scatter. He is probably safe and would be released,” said the officer.
Mwangi has been mobilising his followers to join the protest at the marathon as one way of expressing discontent about the country’s leadership.
This also prompted government affiliated social media users to launch an attack on him online, branding him a traitor. Undeterred, Mwangi continued with his mobilisation.
“Will you show up to cheer friends at the Standard Chartered marathon? You are a crucial part of the race, your cheering will motivate and energise the athletes and help reform our country in the process,” he said.
“This is how; adorn the national flag as part of your sports gear, wear hats with the national colours, wear a bandana with the message RutoMustGo, record protest chants and share online and bring a placard with your message to Ruto.”
The activist urged participants in the marathon to post their messages online and adopt the Kahongo. “Stay calm and peaceful and have fun!” Njeri said after confirming that six men picked up Mwangi.
She said unknown people picked up the activist on Sunday morning at around 7: 15 am.
“This morning at around 7.15, six uninformed people went to courage base and forcefully took my husband from the house. I have no idea who, why or where they have taken him,” she said.
A campaign was immediately launched online to free Mwangi. This was shared widely among many social media enthusiasts.