A Nairobi-based journalist has moved to the High Court seeking protection from arrest after being named as a person of interest in the alleged staged disappearance of former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju.
Urgent Court Application
In an application filed at the Milimani Law Courts, Zipporah Wambui is seeking anticipatory bail and orders restraining police from arresting or harassing her.
Through her lawyer Danstan Omari, Wambui argues that the actions of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have put her liberty, safety, and professional reputation at risk.
Denies Any Involvement
Wambui told the court she was wrongly identified alongside three other individuals allegedly linked to planning the incident.
She maintains that she does not know the other persons mentioned and has never interacted with them.
The journalist further explained that her presence at press briefings in Karen was strictly in her professional capacity as a reporter covering a matter of public interest.
Named in DCI Statement
According to court filings, the trouble began on April 3 when the DCI, through its communications office, publicly listed her as a person of interest in what investigators described as a staged disappearance involving Tuju.
Wambui says the announcement created fear that she could be arrested or harassed despite not committing any offence.
She also noted that efforts to seek clarification from the DCI on why she was named have not been successful.
Seeks Legal Protection
The journalist, who says she has over 15 years of experience and is accredited by the Media Council of Kenya, insists she is a law-abiding citizen ready to cooperate with lawful investigations.
She is seeking anticipatory bail of KSh20,000 and court orders barring both the DCI and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) from arresting, harassing, or intimidating her without due process.
Rights at Stake
In her application, Wambui argues that court intervention is necessary to safeguard her constitutional rights, including freedom of the media, personal liberty, and fair treatment under the law.
The case now sets the stage for a legal battle that could test the balance between investigative authority and press freedom in Kenya.
