Kenyans demand govt to release Maverick Aoko after her arrest

Kenyans demand govt to release social media influencer Scorphine Maverick Aoko Otieno after arresting her allegedly over anti-government posts. Federal agency Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested Maverick from her home on August 16, 2024.

Maverik’s assistant Babu Owino revealed the arrest of the influencer on X. He claimed to have visited her at DCI headquarters. He called charges against her unpredictable, lame, silly, and frustrating.

Babu claimed authorities kept Maverick at Muthaiga Police Station and denied her lawyer’s legal access. Since yesterday, he boosted the social media campaign with the hashtag “Free Aoko.”

I went to see @AokoOtieno_ maverick today at @DCI_Kenya headquarters.The charge on her is vexatious,frivolous,fickle and limping.The Dci is on a fishing expedition.#FreeAoko She’s being held at Muthaiga Police Station and they have refused to admit her on bail which is her…
— Babu Owino (@HEBabuOwino) August 16, 2024

However, police said she would be charged in court based on a valid complaint. But they did not mention the exact reason behind her arrest. Meanwhile, some of Maverick’s anti-government posts were removed from her X account. It is unclear who removed these posts.

With this POSTS allegedly deleted, we can all have a rough idea why Maverick Aoko was picked up.#FreeAoko #FreeAokonow pic.twitter.com/zRAG3IlEyI
— Coach Bill 254 🇰🇪🇰🇪 (@CoachBill254) August 17, 2024

On the other hand, Kenyans demand the federal govt release influencer Maverick Aoko. ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s son Raila Junior also demanded the release of Maverick.

Raila stated DCI arrested Maverick for her grilled social media posts against those sitting in power. Citizens should have the right to post whatever nonsense they want.

People should be free to post whatever nonsense they want #FreeAoko @ray_omollo pic.twitter.com/BIdO4XufFZ
— Raila Odinga Junior (@Railajunior) August 17, 2024

One netizen wrote this is not the country they want. Maverick Aoko should be left alone. She has the freedom to express her opinion anytime anywhere. She did not violate any law.

That's not the country we want. Aoko should be left alone, she is free to write her opinion anytime anywhere Provided she is not breaking any law…. Wacheni ujinga. #FreeAoko pic.twitter.com/CrBlD1RRTf
— Dan Nyagah (@dan_nyagah) August 17, 2024

Click here to read the updates on Kenyans’ demand govt to free Shad Khalif & Boniface Mwangi

Maverick’s lawyer stated that DCI arrested his client in connection with multiple police complaints over her social media posts. He did not provide further details.

Cliff Ombeta is a lawyer of the arrested Maverick. He earlier stated that the police did not allow him to speak with Maverick. Afterward, he said the police permitted his colleague’s lawyer Ivy Ateko to talk with Maverick in custody.

Cliff also talked with her and remarked they know now that Maverik is fine at least. However, he did not explain the exact reason behind her arrest.