Human rights organisation VOCAL Africa has demanded justice and accountability following the arrest of activist Halima Ngache, accusing security agencies of violating her constitutional rights through what it described as arbitrary detention.

In a statement shared on its X account on Monday, July 6, 2026, the lobby group claimed Ngache was arrested in Mombasa by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) before being secretly transferred to Nairobi without the knowledge of her family, friends or legal representatives.

Rights group faults arrest

According to VOCAL Africa, Ngache was held incommunicado after her arrest, making it difficult for her legal team and relatives to establish her whereabouts.

The organisation argued that the manner in which the arrest was conducted amounted to a violation of her constitutional rights.

“Taken by DCI officers and secretly transported to Nairobi, Halima was held without the knowledge of her family, friends or legal team, a flagrant violation of her constitutional rights,” the organisation said.

Case linked to online post

VOCAL Africa said Ngache was accused of sharing information relating to President William Ruto’s flight details on social media.

The organisation disclosed that after an extensive search, its legal team traced her to Pangani Police Station in Nairobi, where she had been detained.

“Following an intensive search, our team successfully located her at the Pangani Police Station. Through the swift action of lawyer Ian Mutiso, they secured her release,” the statement read.

The rights lobby confirmed that Ngache has since been released and is expected to appear in court on Thursday for the determination of her case.

Vows to pursue accountability

VOCAL Africa maintained that it will continue pursuing the matter until its conclusion, insisting that state security agencies should not be used to suppress freedom of expression.

“VOCAL Africa remains firm in defending human rights and resisting the weaponisation of state security apparatus against public expression. We will follow this case to its logical conclusion,” the organisation stated.

The lobby group called for accountability over the circumstances surrounding the activist’s arrest, saying the protection of constitutional freedoms remains essential in a democratic society.