ARTICLE 19 condemns the murder of Kisii-based blogger Duke Nyabaro. His body was found in dangling with a rope around his neck on 7 April 2024. However, a postmortem examination has confirmed that the cause of death was strangulation, which rules out suicide allegations. The blogger commented on political issues, especially those affecting Bonchari Constituency in Kisii County. Authorities must conduct a prompt, thorough and independent investigation into the murder. In addition, all pending cases of disappearances, murders and violence against bloggers must also be thoroughly investigated. Those found to be responsible must be prosecuted.
‘We offer condolences to the family of Nyabaro. We urge the police and relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances that led to the murder and ensure those responsible are held to account,’ said Mugambi Kiai, Regional Director for ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa.
This is the latest in a series of attempts to silence bloggers using extreme violence. On 1 March 2024, Peris Mugera, a Tharaka Nithi County political blogger, was found dead on the Makutano-Sagana Highway in Kirinyaga County. She went missing on 29 February after leaving to meet her friends, but she never returned home.
On 15 August 2023, Adam Kenneth Nthiga, a teacher at Muthambi Primary School, was abducted by two men, and driven to an undisclosed location in Tharaka Nithi County. He was undressed, beaten up, and injured in apparent retaliation for his posts and comments on the poor state of roads in Muthambi Ward on a Facebook group known as Marima Sweet Home.
Popular blogger Bogonko Bosire , who regularly posted on Twitter, now X, has been missing since September 2013. He wrote about celebrities and those in the corridors of power. He was last seen on 18 September 2013.
On 2 December 2023, Daniel Muthiani, aka ‘Sniper’, a political blogger and a known critic of Meru County’s Governor Kawira Mwangaza, was last seen leaving for a meeting with a person offering him an opportunity to work with the Governor. Sniper’s body was discovered on 17 December 2023. The Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions has confirmed that it has sufficient evidence to charge two suspects for murder. This, however, is a rare example of the perpetrators being held to account for such attacks.
‘In an already shrinking civic space, this worrying trend of violence against bloggers will cause a chilling effect and silence citizens from engaging in political debates online,’ said Mugambi.
Legal Context
Articles 33 and 34 of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution guarantee the right to freedom of expression and free media in electronic, print, and all other formats. ARTICLE 19 advocates for the safety and security of journalists and bloggers, who play a crucial role in facilitating open debate on public interest matters.
We call on the government of Kenya to ensure:
- A prompt, thorough and independent investigation into the murder of Duke Nyabaro and into all those responsible, leading to the prosecution of those responsible.
- All pending cases of disappearances, murders and violence against bloggers must also be thoroughly investigated and those responsible must be prosecuted.
- Review of national and county government laws and policies to ensure bloggers can contribute to the public debate effectively and without fear.
For more information, please contact Mugambi Kiai, Regional Director for ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa, at [email protected]