Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga’s son Raila Junior, has joined Kenyans online in calling for the release of popular social media influencer Scorphine Maverick Aoko Otieno.
Raila Junior through a statement shared via his official X account says people should be free to post whatever they want.
Aoko was on Friday, August 16, 2024, arrested and taken to Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters along Kiambu Road for grilling over several social media posts she has been making on her X platfrom.
She was then detained at Muthaiga Police Station pending her arraignment in court.
“People should be free to post whatever nonsense they want #FreeAoko,“Raila Junior stated.
People should be free to post whatever nonsense they want #FreeAoko pic.twitter.com/u1nz3rL3mf
— Raila Odinga Junior (@Railajunior) August 17, 2024
On Friday evening, a post shared via Aoko’s official X account stated that she had been arrested in the morning, and that she had been detained.
According to the post that identified the writer as Aoko’s aide, she had been denied access to her legal counsel.
“This is Aoko’s Aide. She was arrested this morning & has been detained. They have also denied her legal counsel,” said a post from her X account.
This is Aoko’s Aide. She was arrested this morning & has been detained. They have also DENIED her legal counsel.
— Maverick Aoko (@AokoOtieno_) August 16, 2024
Embakasi East Constituency Member of Parliament Babu Owino in a subsequent post confirmed that Aoko had been detained at Muthaiga Police Station, and that the police had refused to admit her on bail.
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, Aoko’s lawyer Ivy Ateko Ingati confirmed in a subsequent post on X that she had been finally allowed access to her client.
She echoed Babu Owino’s remarks that the charges levelled against Aoko are frivolous and that they cannot stand in any competent court.
However, she did not confirm the exact reason as to why Aoko was arrested.
“They have finally allowed me to see her. As Babu Owino said the charges are frivolous and they cannot stand in any competent court,” she stated.
They have finally allowed me to see her. As @HEBabuOwino said the charges are frivolous and they cannot stand in any competent court. https://t.co/qdmooMNShd
— Advocate (@ivyateko_ingati) August 16, 2024
Controversial lawyer Cliff Ombeta stated that Aoko’s lawyer was allowed to see her after he made noise on social media.
Ombeta also confirmed having spoken to Aoko while in custody.
“After my tweet, they have finally allowed my colleague to see her. I have also spoken to her,” Ombeta stated.
After my tweet, they have finally allowed my colleague to see her. I have also spoken to her. pic.twitter.com/8ya93hZEUa
— COmbeta (@OmbetaC) August 16, 2024
The news about Aoko’s arrest spread online on Friday evening, with some users propelling the #FreeAoko hashtag to have her released.
Reports indicate that her arrest came following several complaints lodged with the police over her scial media posts.
