The National Police Service (NPS) has denied claims that it was holding Ndiangui Kinyagia in custody, following his resurfacing and court appearance on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
In a statement released by the Office of the Inspector General, the police clarified that Kinyagia, who had earlier been reported missing, had not at any point been detained by the service. His reappearance from an undisclosed location and subsequent presentation before a court drew public interest and renewed scrutiny over the role of security agencies in his alleged disappearance.
The statement sought to address growing speculation on social and mainstream media, where claims had been made insinuating that the police were involved in the purported disappearance or were under pressure to present Kinyagia to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to record a statement.
“The National Police Service wishes to inform the public that Ndiangui Kinyagia was not in police custody,” the statement read. “We take great exception to the emerging trend whereby individuals feign abduction and provide false information to the police and the public, generating sensational headlines and distorting the truth.”
The police service condemned what it termed a deliberate effort by some individuals to mislead the public, damage the reputation of the police, and generate unnecessary anxiety in the country.
This case has added to a string of recent incidents where alleged enforced disappearances have sparked public uproar, only for later revelations to indicate possible misrepresentation or self-concealment. The police now say they are concerned about a pattern that undermines public trust in institutions and distracts from genuine efforts to seek justice.
“The service is committed to upholding the highest standards of fidelity, neutrality, and the maintenance of law and order,” the IG’s office reiterated. “We remain politically neutral and committed to serving all citizens equally.”
The police further urged members of the public to report matters responsibly and allow due process to take its course rather than resorting to misinformation that may cause undue panic.
As investigations around Kinyagia’s legal matters continue, the NPS affirmed it would provide any required support in accordance with the law while maintaining transparency and accountability in all its engagements.
