Police Raid Backfires: Tech Entrepreneur Awarded SH5M
A police search that saw officers enter tech entrepreneur Ndiang’ui Kinyagia’s Kinoo home and seize his equipment has now ended with the High Court ordering compensation of Sh5 million over violations of his constitutional rights.
The High Court has awarded tech entrepreneur Ndiang’ui Kinyagia Sh5 million in damages following a case arising from a June 2025 police operation at his home in Kinoo, Kiambu County.
The court found that the police had violated Kinyagia’s rights during the search and seizure of his property, with the case stemming from an operation in which officers took electronic devices and other personal items from his residence.
The development follows a prolonged legal dispute that began after Kinyagia disappeared in June 2025, prompting the Law Society of Kenya to seek court intervention. At the time, police acknowledged searching his residence and seizing items but denied holding him. Kinyagia later appeared in court and said he had gone into hiding because he feared for his safety.
The latest ruling adds another chapter to the case, with the court ordering the Sh5 million compensation over the rights violations. The ruling also bars the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions from proceeding against Kinyagia over the investigative process challenged in court.
The case has renewed attention on the limits of police powers when conducting searches and investigations, particularly where citizens’ constitutional rights are involved.