Kenyan blogger and photographer Msingi Sasis Bekko was yesterday arrested at the Galleria Mall in Karen for taking pictures and taken to Langata Police station where he was booked in as a terror Suspect.
Msingi Sasis runs www.nairobinoir.com, a photography blog on Nairobi at night capturing the many different activities that take on in most parts of Nairobi after dark.
Photographer @MsingiSasis was arrested last night for taking pics http://t.co/cnHRYd2Uy4 .Wasn’t taken to court today pic.twitter.com/TsMUbRxIgX
— Boniface Mwangi (@bonifacemwangi) April 22, 2015
According to his brother Victor Bekko who wrote to Boniface Mwangi, an activist and an award winning photographer, Msingi looked traumatised when Victor was finally allowed to see him in custody. Msingi slipped a note to his brother and gave clear instructions that he (Victor) should get in touch with Boniface.
Family of @MsingiSasis are concerned that he is been treated as a terror suspect and they aren’t allowed to see him. pic.twitter.com/2vX8k4fQX4
— Boniface Mwangi (@bonifacemwangi) April 22, 2015
Boniface Mwangi has now taken to Social media sharing information regarding his arrest and informing Kenyans that Msingi did not appear in court today as should be procedure according to Kenyan Laws on arrest of individuals.
RT @bonifacemwangi: Photographer @MsingiSasis was arrested last night for taking pics http://t.co/pE2UF3PB4U .Wasn’t taken to court today…
— iFreedoms Kenya (@iFreedomsKE) April 22, 2015
During a recent African Photo Magazine launch organised by House of Fotography and hosted by the Kenyan Bloggers Association, one photographer shared his concerns regarding the arbitrary arrest of Kenyan photographers taking photos within Nairobi’s Central Business District. In a question to the Kenya Cabinet Secretary for Planning and Devolution Anne Waiguru, the photographer sought intervention and a solution to the constant harassment of Photographers who engage in street photography by the police.
The CS urged Kenyan Photographers through their association to accredit their members for easy identification.
Barely a week after that discussion with the CS, Msingi Sasis now finds himself behind bars labeled as a terror suspect despite his marketing of Nairobi life and his continued efforts of giving a different story, through his photography of Nairobi and Kenya to the world through his Camera and his blog.
It is not yet clear if Msingi is still being held at the Langata Police Station or he has been transferred to another location or what is happening to him as he is being held in custody.
We will continue to provide updates on this situation as it develops.
