Kenyan Police Release Journalist Arrested for Sharing Senator Orwoba’s Number on X

The Kamkunji Police Division in Kenya has released a Nairobi-based journalist, Edgar Wabwire, who was arrested for reposting the number of a House of Parliament member, Senator Gloria Orwoba.

According to an eyewitness who visited Wabwire following the arrest, Nyandia Gachago said he was abducted in the Lucky Sama area of Kenya at 6:00 a.m. (EAT)

Gachago further disclosed that Senator Orwoba was present at the police station and personally threatened to use her resources to ensure the journalist, Wabwire, is severely punished for reposting the same number she once posted in a now-deleted post on X.

Wabwire posted the number during Tuesday’s protest, which Kenyans took to reaching out to demand answers on why she supported the Finance Bill 2024.

Under Wabwire’s post, his followers relayed screenshots of direct messages exchanged with Senator Orwoba, most of which indicate a demand for her support on the contentious Finance Bill, despite being an advocate for girl-child pads, which is now included in the Bill to be taxed.

With the protest scheduled to continue Tuesday in the Eastern African nation next week, Wabwire took to his personal X handle on Friday morning, announcing his release.

I am free now, and I want to thank you all for the overwhelming support. The matter is now in the hands of the lawyers…For those trying to call me, I am currently offline. ASANTENI SANA, he wrote on X.

Despite the public act of resistance demonstrated through protests, the Kenyan Parliament passed a second reading on the contentious Finance Bill during the protest.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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