High Court Awards Blogger Ndiangui Kinyagia KSh5 Million Over Unlawful House Raid

The High Court has ordered Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin and Inspector General of Police (IG) Douglas Kanja to pay blogger and IT expert Ndiangui Kinyagia KSh5 million for unlawfully intruding into his home and seizing his personal belongings.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Patricia Nyaundi on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the court found that the actions of the DCI and IG in entering Kinyagia’s residence and taking items including passports, laptops, mobile phones and other personal property were unlawful.

Justice Nyaundi ruled that the intrusion and seizure violated Kinyagia’s constitutional rights to privacy, property, dignity, security of the person and freedom of movement.

“I am satisfied that there is no foundation, and the police did not first obtain lawful authority and then investigate; they invaded, searched, and seized, and only thereafter sought to clog their conduct with the appearance of legality,” Justice Nyaundi ruled.

The judge consequently awarded Kinyagia KSh5 million in general damages, with the amount to be paid jointly by the DCI and the Inspector General.

“General damages are awarded in the sum of KSh5 million, payable jointly by the first and second respondents (DCI and IG),” the judge added.

Court bars prosecution over investigative process

The court also barred the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from instituting criminal proceedings against Kinyagia arising from the investigative process undertaken by the DCI and the Inspector General.

The order effectively prevents prosecution based on the investigative process that the court found to have been unconstitutional.

DCI officers raided Kinyagia’s home

The case arose from an incident on June 21, 2025, when DCI officers went to Kinyagia’s residence and remained there for much of the day as they attempted to reach him.

According to the court record, the officers were unable to contact him and eventually forcibly entered the house.

They proceeded to remove various items from the residence, including electronic devices, phones and passports. An inventory of the items taken was left with the caretaker.

Kinyagia went into hiding

The court also noted that Kinyagia reported going into hiding after learning that DCI officers were at his residence.

He said he became apprehensive about his safety because of the prevailing national environment at the time.

Justice Nyaundi’s judgment found that the authorities had not established a lawful basis for the search and seizure before entering the premises and taking Kinyagia’s property.