Aoko Is Safe, Babu Owino Reassures

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino says online activist and former journalist Scophine Aoko Otieno alias Maverick Aoko is safe.

In a statement on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Babu said that he had been in constant communication with Aoko’s father, who has confirmed that she is fine.

This follows weeks of speculations on the activist’s whereabouts after she went missing 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.

Aoko’s disappearance

Aoko, who has been a vocal government critic on X lastly posted on her X account on October 22, 2024, before going mute across all platforms.

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 claims 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.

On October 28, 2024, Babu, a close friend of the activist, said that no one knew where the activist 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.

A new statement was issued through her X account on November 1, 2024, claiming that she had been found at the Kenya-Tanzania border.

“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.

The family is yet to issue a public statement regarding the matter.