- Emmanuel Maleve was picked up by DCI officers in plain clothes outside a mall in Kitui town.
- His lawyer confirmed he was detained at Muthaiga Police Station without a clear charge sheet.
- He is accused of posting false claims and cyberbullying through his blog ‘Hopkin Digital’.
- Maleve had previously criticized MP Rachael Kaki over CDF matters.
- Kitui Media Unity and other leaders have condemned the arrest, terming it an attack on free speech.
- Concerns were raised about the nature of the arrest, with some calling it unprofessional and intimidating.
A dramatic scene unfolded on Thursday evening outside a shopping centre in Kitui town as Emmanuel Maleve, a local digital content creator, was arrested by officers believed to be from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The officers, dressed in civilian clothes, swiftly took him into custody.
Lawyer Says Police Yet to Reveal Clear Charges
Speaking shortly after the arrest, Maleve’s lawyer, Noel Musya, revealed that the blogger was taken by DCI agents from their Kiambu headquarters and later locked up at Muthaiga Police Station. He noted that the legal team has not been given access to the charge sheet, and the only available detail was a police entry claiming Maleve spread false news and was involved in cyberbullying.
Blog Posts Point Fingers at Local MP
Maleve, known online as ‘Hopkin’, has been outspoken about leadership issues in Kitui South. In his recent writings, he questioned the area MP Rachael Kaki’s failure to establish a proper oversight committee for NG-CDF funds. He also demanded full transparency in how public money has been used in the region.
Media Group Calls Out Intimidation by Police
The arrest drew backlash from Kitui Media Unity (KMU), which accused the authorities of misusing power to silence media voices. KMU described Maleve as a vital voice in the Kitui region and stated that his arrest was an attack on press freedom and freedom of speech as guaranteed by the Kenyan Constitution.
Political Leader Joins in Condemning Arrest Style
National Liberal Party boss Dr. Augustus Kyalo Muli also spoke out, criticizing the manner in which Maleve was picked up. He said the move looked more like a kidnapping, as even the Kitui Central Police Station was unaware of the operation. Muli stressed the need for police to carry out arrests in a legal, respectful, and transparent way.
