Where is online activist and former journalist Scophine Aoko Otieno alias Maverick Aoko?
This is the question causing jitters among questions, who have not seen the blogger for weeks since she was reported in October.
This comes after the activist’s X account was deactivated on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, days after it was reported that she had been found and was in safe hands.
On November 5, 2024, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who is her close ally, stated that he had spoken to Aoko’s father who confirmed that she was fine.
“I have been talking to Maverick Aoko’s dad and he keeps confirming to me that Aoko is safe,” Babu stated.
Aoko, who has been a vocal government critic on X went missing at first on October 22, 2024.
On October 28, 2024, a statement was issued through her X account, claiming to be from her aide revealing the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
According to the statement, Aoko had travelled from her rural home to attend a meeting and a court session. However, she found that her house in Nairobi had been broken into.
“Hi, this is Aoko’s aide. I’m tweeting using her account with the blessings of her dad. After her arrest, she opted to stay with family upcountry only going to Nairobi for meetings & Court. Two weeks ago, upon her return to Nairobi, she found her main door clobbered at the hinges. She called me panicked. I asked her to take pictures and leave. She decided not to say it to prevent drawing attention that she was around,” the statement read in part.
The statement claimed that family and friends thought that the former journalist had decided to stay low after sensitive posts she had done online, only to discover she could have disappeared.
“We still don’t know her whereabouts. To whom do we report? If they (the police) took her, we’re asking that they produce her, if she is hiding, we pray that she is safe and will reach out in whatever discreet way just so we can all have peace of mind,” the statement added.
“Update: She’s been found at the Kenya-Tanzania border. Her family was called from a hospital. She was taken there by an unidentified person who said they found her outside their gate. Don’t know much at the moment, but the father is on his way there. Will keep you updated. Thank you for standing with her,” the statement claimed to be from her aide added.
Posts through her account started flowing after reports that she had been found, but Kenyans barely believed that it was the activist posting.
The family has yet to issue a public statement regarding the matter.
