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April 07, 2026 – Kenya –
A Nairobi‑based journalist has moved to the High Court seeking anticipatory bail and protective orders after Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) publicly identified her as a person of interest in the high‑profile alleged staged disappearance of former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju.
Zipporah Wambui Weru, who has worked as a reporter for more than 15 years and is accredited by the Media Council of Kenya, filed an urgent application at Milimani Law Courts on April 7 seeking anticipatory bail of KSh 20,000 as well as orders restraining state agencies from arresting, intimidating, detaining, or interfering with her without due process. She also requested that the court protect her constitutional rights to liberty, fair treatment under law, and freedom of the media.
In affidavits supporting her petition, Wambui denied any involvement in the alleged staging of Tuju’s disappearance and maintained that she became aware of the incident only through routine press coverage. Her lawyers argued that any interactions she had with individuals linked to the case were strictly in the course of her professional duties as a journalist.
The application follows a statement issued by the DCI on April 3 identifying Wambui and three others as persons of interest in what investigators described as a “staged disappearance” rather than an actual abduction. Authorities allege Tuju’s reported disappearance was orchestrated, and investigators have said they identified several phones and CCTV footage suggesting coordinated movements inconsistent with a genuine abduction, though Tuju and his legal team dispute those characterisations.
Wambui’s legal team said the public naming by the DCI has exposed her to reputational harm, possible threats to personal safety, and the risk of arbitrary arrest or harassment. In her petition, she emphasised that she is willing to cooperate with lawful investigations provided due process is observed.
Her application also argues that anticipatory bail is a constitutional remedy designed to protect individuals from unjustified deprivation of liberty and unwarranted interference by state authorities, particularly in situations where arrest may occur without reasonable cause.
As the case moves through the courts, Wambui’s filing highlights ongoing tensions between press freedom and criminal investigations in Kenya, raising broader questions about how journalists can be implicated in high‑profile legal matters while maintaining their rights and professional independence.
Reference –
Journalist Seeks Court Protection After DCI Links Her to Tuju ‘Staged Disappearance’
Nairobi journalist seeks anticipatory bail, protection over alleged link to Tuju abduction saga
