An ex-Catholic priest has been arrested by the detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over an alleged plot to overthrow President William Ruto.
According to the DCI, the arrest of the ex-Catholic priest was carried out during an operation by the Operation Action Team (OAT) at the DCI headquarters.
The 44-year-old suspect was arrested on the charges of cybercrime linked to the alleged dissemination of content advocating the unlawful overthrow of the current government.
“A carefully coordinated operation by detectives from the DCI Headquarters’ Operation Action Team (OAT) has culminated in the arrest of a 44-year-old cybercrime suspect linked to the alleged dissemination of content advocating the unlawful overthrow of the Government,” part of the DCI read.
In the report by the detectives, the ex-Catholic priest was arrested in the Kirigiti area in Kiambu County.
DCI Investigations into the Ex-Catholic Priest
DCI detectives emphasized that the arrest followed investigations into a shared post on the suspect’s official Facebook page ‘Kinta Kinte II’.
The publication on the suspect’s Facebook page detailed an elaborate plan calling for sustained street demonstrations throughout June 2026.
Further, the publication revealed target arson attacks against specified public and private properties.
In addition, in the attempt to overthrow the government, the suspect had shared plans for tax boycotts and the establishment of parallel transitional administrations.
Following the investigations, the DCI argued that publications by the suspects were beyond the lawful political expression.
Further, the detectives clarified that the publications were inciteful and aimed at destabilizing constitutional governance.
Contents of the publication are currently undergoing detailed forensic and evidential analysis as investigations continue.
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Suspects Details by the DCI
According to the DCI, the suspect earlier served as a Roman Catholic priest before he left the Catholic church, joining the Catholic Charismatic Church.
Catholic Charismatic Church, according to reports by the DCI, is a splinter group that allows ordained clergy to marry.
Despite transitioning to the Catholic Charismatic Church, the suspect is said to have continued to don pastoral collars and clerical robes while operating in the Riruta area.
The suspect arrested by the DCI was handed over to the Serious Crime Unit for further processing and investigations.
For the attempt to criminalize attempts to overthrow President Ruto unlawfully, the suspect is expected to face charges under Section 40(1)(a)(iii) of the Penal Code (Cap. 63).
Arrest of the Ex-Catholic priest comes after the DCI made an arrest on another suspect in Mombasa County for disseminating inflammatory social media content raising public outrage and concern.
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Public Advice from DCI Headquarters
The DCI has advised citizens to exercise the freedom of expression lawfully as they exercise their constitutional rights.
In addition, the public has been asked to refrain from advocating violence, property destruction, or unconstitutional attempts to overthrow the government.
Further, the DCI has requested that the public exercise responsibility in their online engagement and report suspicious activities, as digital spaces are not exempt from legal accountability.
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