Kenyans on social media have reacted angrily to the arrest of activist Francis Sakwa. Sakwa, a passionate advocate for human rights and social justice, was reportedly arrested by Flying Squad agents on Sunday evening in the Ngara area where friends say he was organizing a demonstration over land grabbing.
Sakwa is a Human Rights Defender from Mathare and he was arrested on Sunday 8 pm at Ngara by Flying Squad #FindSakwa pic.twitter.com/8UuLENTCWQ
— Security Alerts (@InsecurityKE) April 14, 2015
Sakwa is missing after being arrested 2 days ago. He isn’t in police custody nor at home. UNACCEPTABLE #findSakwa
— The Mutai (@ItsMutai) April 14, 2015
Those in the know say Sakwa was arrested by the Flying Squad agents from the Parklands police station just hours after attending a vigil for the victims of the Garissa University College terror attack in Mathare.
After Mathare Vigil held on Sunday Sakwa was arrested by Flying Squad from Parklands #FindSakwa@bonifacemwangipic.twitter.com/Mb5OnycGio
— Security Alerts (@InsecurityKE) April 14, 2015
There is speculation that Sakwa’s arrest has something to do with his signing on to a petition asking the National Land Commission to act against “private developers” who have grabbed a piece of land near the Country Bus Station in Nairobi.
sakwa arrest just days after petition to National Land Commission on grabbed Retail Market land. #FindSakwapic.twitter.com/54O54Ef1qk
— Maskani Ya Taifa (@Maskani254) April 13, 2015
Given his unquestionable credentials as an activist for positive social change, Sakwa’s arrest has elicited angry reactions from ordinary members of the public, journalists and prominent politicians alike:
We need to #FindSakwa. I’ve been in protests with him and he’s a bright young fellow passionate about this country.
— Shamit Patel (@just_sham_it) April 14, 2015
We cannot be living in a country where people go missing when they begin to ask questions about the rampant corruption. #FindSakwa
— Shamit Patel (@just_sham_it) April 14, 2015
#FindSakwa i think i have personally given the Gov’t enough time to bring Sakwa back. I will personally storm those stations looking for him — Boni Khalwale (@BoniMtetezi) April 14, 2015
Poachers of men at it again. where is sakwa? #FindSakwa — Mohammed Ali (@MohaJichoPevu) April 14, 2015
The arrest has also invited unflattering comparisons to the Moi regime when such arrests were part for the course. Coming in the wake of the slow and ultimately costly security response to the terror attack at Garissa University College, some Kenyans are questioning whether the people who are supposed to protect them have their priorities in order.
This Government is nearly close to that of KANU where people disappear mysteriously,,,, #FindSakwa — W A F U L A H (@GazzahBuoy) April 14, 2015
KANU error is back #FindSakwa — MoAbdi (@Dekz_AFC) April 14, 2015
Posts from a Facebook account that hasn’t been authenticated as belonging to Sakwa appear to suggest that he has been released but the fact that his wife recorded a statement at Huruma Police Station this morning contradicts that.
According to his Facebook post Francis Sakwa is alive and well. Some comrades are headed to his house #FindSakwa pic.twitter.com/349KvXqzGf — Boniface Mwangi (@bonifacemwangi) April 14, 2015
Sakwa still not traced, his wife has already recorded a statement this morning at Huruma Police Station #FindSakwa@bonifacemwangi — Security Alerts (@InsecurityKE) April 14, 2015
Keep your eyes peeled on this page for updates on this story and others.
Update.
Latest reports indicate that Sakwa has been found in Voi. He was reportedly left there after being abducted by unknown men and put in the boot of a car. The unknown men also took away the activist’s phone.
CONFIRMED, Francis Sakwa is safe. They dumped him in Voi #FindSakwa
— Security Alerts (@InsecurityKE) April 14, 2015
UPDATE: @sakwafrancis has been found alive and well, dumped in Voi after spending two days being driven in a car boot. #FindSakwa
— Maskani Ya Taifa (@Maskani254) April 14, 2015
UPDATE: The people believed to be police officers confiscated @sakwafrancis‘ phone. Before dumping him in Voi. #FindSakwa
— Maskani Ya Taifa (@Maskani254) April 14, 2015
