Vocal online commentator and activist Maverick Aoko on Friday, November 8 explained why she assigned her aide the responsibility of running affairs on her X account while she was reported missing for several days.

In her statement, Aoko, known by her real name Scophine Aoko Otieno, revealed that the aide had her unreserved permission and that of her family.

She addressed the scepticism and mistrust Kenyans had as reports of her disappearance gathered momentum, given the rampant abductions witnessed across the country targeting those vocal against the Kenya Kwanza government.

However, she assured her followers that nothing drastic happened to her account and that her aide was prepared with measures that would be taken in case something terrible happened to her.

Social media personality Scorphine Atieno Aoko popularly known as Maverick Aoko. /FILE

“Hello, Kenyans, The person who’s been posting on my account has/had my unreserved permission and that of my Family. Your mistrust is justified, the scepticism is valid given we are dealing with a fiendish regime that knows no bounds,” she wrote.

“I however assure you, they got me but not my account. We are not as daft as they presume us to be and the first thing my aide does when I emergency dial, or is unreachable, is to change our passwords. This not only protects this account but also my sources for it goes without saying, devoid of them, there’s no ‘Tea.'”

Aoko assured that the aide was well-known to the likes of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, whom she claims has met in person. According to Aoko, Owino is a trusted friend to her. 

“Babu knows of this aide, and has met them in person too. I comprehend your misgivings on politicians, Lord knows I’ve had my extreme share of unpalatable experiences with them. Albeit, take it from me, Ongili is a trusted friend who has proven his camaraderie interminably through bloom and gloom,” she added.

“He would not embrace silence if he had not confirmed I am currently in the care of family or (Heavens forbid), an unauthorized person accessed my X.”

It was the lawmaker who confirmed last Saturday that Aoko was doing well after her aide said that she was found at the Kenya-Tanzania border, corroborating a statement by the aide that “Her family was called from a hospital. She was taken there by an unidentified person who said they found her outside their Gate.”

In terms of her health, Aoko confirmed that she is doing well under the care of her family and thanked Kenyans for their support. “Your clamour, fervour, noise, agitation and prayers kept air in my lungs and blood in my heart. Asante for every tweet, retweet, call, concern, msg and voice that spoke out for me,” she added. 

“The flesh is indisposed, thanks to their “hata sisi tunajua kusalimiana.” Grateful that I am getting adequate care. The spirit remains sound, and the resolve is bolstered, rather than punctured, for no amount of spittle can quench a furnace.”

However, she did not immediately disclose the details regarding her disappearance promising to reveal every single detail, “every minute detail, every crumb” when she gets better.

Before she was found, Aoko had been missing close to 10 days since her last tweet on October 22. Her disappearance went unnoticed in the public eye for five days, with only netizens raising concern about her whereabouts given that she was not seen online during that period.

However, this got the attention of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) which on Sunday, October 27, called for her immediate release.

Speaking to the media after tracing arrested Boniface Mwangi to the Kamukunji Police Station, LSK President Faith Odhiambo called for her immediate release and urged Kenyans to use the LSK hotline to provide any information regarding her disappearance.