Khelif Khalifa released

By Peter Ochieng

Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI) director Khelef Khalifa has been released from police custody.

The human rights defender was being detained at Malindi Police Station, in Kilifi County after reportedly being arrested alongside some members of his family.

According to the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), he was allegedly arrested by masked police officers, despite a recent court ruling out-lawing use of masks by police officers to obscure their identity.

Hours later, MUHURI in a statement on social media confirmed his release.

“We are pleased to announce the unconditional release of MUHURI Director Khelef Khalifa from Malindi Police Station.”

“We express our sincere gratitude to everyone who expressed concern for Mr. Khalifa’s well-being. Your calls and support were invaluable. We also extend our thanks to the legal team who swiftly intervened to secure his release,” added the organisation.

Khalifa and his family were detained after questioning police officers at Mida, about their concealed faces and lack of visible identification badges, a clear violation of the law.

“Police have detained Muslim for Human Rights Board member Khelef Khalifa and his family in Mida, near Malindi. Khalifa challenged the officers for hiding their faces when they stopped his car,” KHRC said earlier.

KHRC demanded his immediate release, with former Chief Justice Willy Munyoki Mutunga being among human rights defenders who have condemned Khalifa’s arrests.

“Why are they arresting the family? The police are now arresting activists in the presence of their families to intimidate them as well,” said Mutunga.

“Where are we headed as a country surely? These abductions or what they call arrests are becoming too much. Why detain his family? If it is him the government wants then arrest him alone not his family,” noted an X user by name Wambui Mugo.

The National Police Service (NPS) had not issued a statement over his arrest and subsequent release, by the time of going to press.