Popular personality Polo Kimani, known as @MetroBoomin, has been arrested and detained during today’s anti-government demonstrations. The Atheists In Kenya Society calls for his immediate release.
Kimani was seen in Nairobi on Tuesday morning, sharing images with his followers as he stood beside individuals in orange reflector jackets holding sticks. He later clarified that these individuals were business owners protecting their establishments.
Despite his earlier post about friendly police, Kimani was later pictured sitting on a sidewalk with police officers standing nearby.
Holding the Kenyan flag and sunglasses, he informed his followers of his arrest.
The news sparked a social media campaign demanding his release, with many expressing concern over the situation in the country. As of now, Kimani’s whereabouts and the charges against him remain unknown.
His activism against the government has made him a prominent figure in recent protests.
Dozens of activists say they were snatched from their homes or off the streets by hooded, armed men. Some are still missing, and the disappearances have unnerved a nation long seen as a pillar of stability.
New York Times
Just an hour earlier, Kimani had ironically posted, “Police are actually friendly today to be honest. Speaking as a person in grao…”
Keen to update his 176k followers on the happenings in the CBD, he also shared a chaotic video which appeared to show orange smoke billowing in the air.
“Hii ya orange ndio sasa inanuka msuri Sasa. Nairobi CBD. #RutoMustGo!” he wrote.
However, at 14.04pm, Kimani shared a photo of himself seated at a sidewalk alongside other men. Police can be seen standing over them.
In his hands, he can be seen holding onto the Kenyan flag and a pair of dark sunglasses.
He simply wrote, “I’ve been arrested.”
Soon after publishing the tweet, thousands of his followers and Kenyans in general started agitating for his release, some even releasing ‘Free Polo Kimani’ posters and others creating a hashtag.
“They have to FREE Polo Kimani! It’s a demand, not a request. You cannot claim to be inviting Kenyans to the dialogue table and then continue with the arbitrary arrests and kidnappings! This regime has lost all legitimacy!” someone wrote.
Popular content creator Sue Owino also reacted, writing, “Where are we headed as a country? #FreePoloKimani!”
More than two hours later, it is still unclear where the influencer is being held at and what crime might he be charged with.
Like hundreds of other influential figures on X, Kimani has been increasingly active and unequivocal in his opposition to the government, he also has been joining protesters in almost all the past demonstrations in Nairobi.