‘Aoko Is Fine!’ – MP Babu Owino Confirms
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino says Scophine Aoko Otieno, also known as Maverick Aoko, an online activist and former journalist, is safe.
Babu said in a statement on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, that he had been in constant contact with Aoko’s father, who confirmed her well-being.
This comes after weeks of speculation about the activist’s whereabouts following her disappearance on October 22, 2024.
“I have been talking to Maverick Aoko’s dad and he keeps confirming to me that Aoko is safe,” Babu stated.
I have been talking to Maverick Aoko’s Dad and he keeps confirming to me that Aoko is safe.
— Babu Owino (@HEBabuOwino) November 5, 2024
Aoko, who has been a vocal government critic on X, last posted on her X account on October 22, 2024, before going silent on all platforms.
On October 28, 2024, a statement was issued through her X account, purporting to be from her aide and detailing the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
According to the statement, Aoko traveled from her rural home to attend a meeting and a court hearing. However, she discovered that her home 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,” the statement read in part.
“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.”
According to the statement, family and friends assumed the former journalist had decided to stay low after making sensitive posts online, only to discover she may have vanished.
“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.
On October 28, 2024, Babu, a close friend of the activist, stated that no one knew where he was.
“@AokoOtieno_ has been missing for days and her whereabouts is not known. I have reached out to her family members and close friends, but no one knows where she is!!” Babu Owino said in a public message on Monday, October 28, 2024.
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On November 1, 2024, a new statement was issued via her X account, claiming that she had been discovered at the Kenya-Tanzania border.
Update: She's Been Found at the kenyan Tanzania border. Her family was called from a hospital.
— Maverick Aoko (@AokoOtieno_) November 1, 2024
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.…
“Update: She’s been found at the Kenya-Tanzania border. Her family was called from a hospital,” the statement claimed to be from her aide added.
“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 family has yet to issue a public statement about the situation.
‘Aoko Is Fine!’ – MP Babu Owino Confirms
