Court orders DCI not to arrest Blogger Ndiangui Kinyagia

The High Court has ordered the police not to arrest blogger Ndiangui Kinyangia after he presented himself in court on Thursday.

Ndiangui went missing on June 21, with his family suing the state and DCI over his 'abduction'.

Justice Chacha Mwita had on Tuesday ordered DCI boss Mohamed Amin to appear in court to explain the whereabouts of Ndiangui.

Family lawyer Kibe Mungai told the court Ndiangui called the family on Tuesday evening, saying he was well and safe.

"Your honour, the second petitioner (Ndiangui) is in court today and we would like to have time with him before we return to court," Kibe said.

Lawyer representing the state and Amin, Emmanuel Bita, did not oppose that application.

Similarly, the petitioners, led by senior counsel Martha Karua, also did not oppose the application.

"We would have wanted to grill the DCI boss now that he is here, but we would give preference to the request by the family," Karua said.

Lawyer Willis Otieno asked the court to issue orders stopping the police from arresting Ndiangui, saying DCI could arrest him after the court proceedings.

Justice Mwita ordered that Ndiangui be given time with his family pending further directions.

"The police shall not arrest the second petitioner (Ndiangui Kinyangia) since he's now a petitioner in this matter," Mwita said.

"He should not be arrested or detained, but can be escorted to the DCI by the family for statement recording if need be."

The matter will be heard on July 18.