MOMBASA: Police Release VOCAL Africa Activist Following Public Pressure
Sketty Walid, a human rights activist and VOCAL Africa staff member, was released late last night following an intervention by the OCS at Mombasa’s Central Police Station.
Walid’s release came just hours after his arrest, which drew significant outrage from human rights organizations and campaigners.
VOCAL Africa called the event highly distressing, citing recurring worries about police actions and the victimization of human rights defenders.
Earlier in the evening, VOCAL Africa published an alert strongly criticizing Walid’s detention at Central Police Station.
We are disturbed and strongly condemn the arrest of our @VOCALAfrica_’s @SkettyWalid at Central Police Station, Mombasa a short while ago.
— husseinkhalid (@husskhalid) January 9, 2026
Walid was responding to appeals from public who complained to him that youth were being arrested in the streets indiscriminately and put in… pic.twitter.com/GR4wd7PoCn
According to the group, Walid went to the police in response to urgent public calls regarding indiscriminate youth arrests on Mombasa’s streets.
The youths were allegedly kept in police cells without their information being recorded in the Occurrence Book (OB), a statutory requirement under Kenyan law designed to protect against arbitrary imprisonment.
While at the station seeking information on the reported arrests, Walid was allegedly roughed up by police officers before being arrested himself.
VOCAL Africa stated that he was acting in his capacity as a human rights activist, responding to public concerns and demanding responsibility from authorities.
We can confirm that @SkettyWalid was released later last night through the intervention of the OCS of Cemtral Police Station, Mombasa.
— husseinkhalid (@husskhalid) January 10, 2026
We thank everyone who was concerned and assisted in following up. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 https://t.co/kfbfohTNYY pic.twitter.com/8L72E9D69T
Following his detention, the organisation called for his immediate and unconditional release, saying that the episode raised serious concerns about due process, transparency, and respect for the rule of law.
The arrest triggered a wave of online outrage, with activists and members of the public calling for his freedom and urging police to respect legal procedures.
VOCAL Africa CEO Hussein Khalid confirmed his release and thanked everyone who assisted in securing his release.
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“We can confirm that Sketty Walid was released later last night through the intervention of the OCS of Central Police Station, Mombasa,” he stated in a post.
“We thank everyone who was concerned and assisted in following up.”
The organisation confirmed his release in a public statement, thanking members of the public, civil society partners, and supporters who raised concern and closely followed up on his situation as it unfolded.
Walid’s release later that night was welcomed by rights groups, though concerns remain about the circumstances that led to his detention.
MOMBASA: Police Release VOCAL Africa Activist Following Public Pressure
