The disappearance of social media influencer Maverick Aoko has sparked widespread concern, with calls for her immediate release echoing from various quarters, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Aoko has been unaccounted for over the past five days, prompting her supporters to rally for action.
Babu Owino expressed his worries, stating, “Aoko has been missing for days.
I’ve reached out to her family and close friends, but no one has any information on her whereabouts.”
The mystery deepened as an aide provided insight into Aoko’s recent activities, claiming that when she returned to Nairobi two weeks ago, she discovered her front door damaged and ajar.
The aide detailed Aoko’s situation, revealing that she had been living in a rural area since her earlier arrest this year, only coming to the city for meetings and court appearances.
Reports surfaced that her caretaker and watchman had observed suspicious individuals loitering near her home, inquiring about her location.
“She called me in a panic, and I urged her to take photos and leave the area,” the aide recounted, adding that she initially chose not to share this information to avoid drawing attention to Aoko’s presence in Nairobi.
The aide also noted that Aoko had recently participated in an interview with international media, discussing her ordeal and the ongoing threats she faced.
After posting about her situation, Aoko reportedly went off the grid, a choice her family and friends initially interpreted as a strategy to evade potential threats.
However, the aide now expresses deep concern, asking, “Who do we report this to?” and urging police to confirm if they have detained her.
On Monday, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) joined the chorus of voices demanding answers. During a visit to Kamukunji Police Station to locate detained activist Boniface Mwangi, LSK President Faith Odhiambo called for any information regarding Aoko’s disappearance. “Every life counts,” she stated, urging the public to utilize the society’s hotline for tips.
Odhiambo further insisted that anyone holding Aoko should release her without delay, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law.
“We cannot live in a country ruled by intimidation or fear,” she warned, encouraging citizens to stand up for their rights within the legal framework.
As the search for Maverick Aoko continues, the urgency for information and action grows, with her friends and supporters increasingly anxious about her safety.