Billy Simani, alias Crazy Nairobian, freed

 

Social media influencer Billy Simani, also known as Crazy Nairobian, has been released.

Simani was freed on Sunday around 10:00 PM with assistance from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).

LSK President Faith Odhiambo credited a tip-off for Simani's rescue.

However, details about where he was held and the reasons for his detention remain unclear.

Simani disappeared on Friday after reportedly being arrested at his residence. Efforts to locate him were unsuccessful, according to his friends.

His disappearance sparked a nearly six-hour discussion  on Saturday, June 22, titled “Good Morning Kenya: Where is Crazy Nairobian?” The discussion, initially a call for Simani's release, evolved into a broader debate on the contentious Finance Bill 2024.

By 12:30 PM, the session had attracted over 50,000 listeners, including accounts tied to politicians and the government spokesperson’s office.

Participants raised questions about Simani's whereabouts and expressed concerns over threats faced by protestors exercising their right to demonstrate.

“Last night, we were informed Billy was at Muthaiga Police Station, but he wasn’t there. Where is Billy?” asked Osama Otero, one of the hosts.

Digital strategist Dennis Itumbi responded, indicating Simani was detained for allegedly sending threatening messages.

“I have consulted with the police regarding Crazy Nairobian, Billy, and understand he is detained for sending threatening messages. I will contact the complainant to explore the possibility of withdrawal,” Itumbi wrote on X.

Itumbi later suggested in another post that Simani had been released.

However, he subsequently deleted the post, clarifying he had mistaken Simani for other detainees, Wafula Bwire and Stephen Kariuki.

CLARIFICATION: THE content creator arrested for threatening a senior public servant is WAFULA BWIRE - he was FREED this evening after the complaint was withdrawn. His relatives received him. Also freed was a Stephen Kariuki, who was being held in Nakuru on a similar offence. So,… — -Dennis Itumbi, CBS (@OleItumbi) June 22, 2024

According to the LSK President, after initial reports of Simani's release, they checked the mentioned police station, only to find he was not there.

Fortunately, a timely tip-off led to Simani's location and subsequent release.