NARC-Kenya party leader Martha Karua has come forward to represent activist Mutema Wa Kiama accused of cyberbullying President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mutema led a viral campaign on social media urging the International Monetary Fund (IMF) not to enter into loan agreements with Kenya.
He will be detained for a day (until Thursday, April 8) pending a magistrate court’s ruling.
Investigations
The police led by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecution Joseph Riungu told Milimani Magistrate Jane Kamau that the State needed 14 days to complete investigations.
Riungu argued Section 60 of the Constitution also allows the police to seize equipment from a suspect without a warrant.
The state had accused Kiama of making a viral notice with Uhuru’s face warning the world against entering into loan agreements with him on behalf of the country.
In an affidavit sworn in court by Patrick Kibowen, the prosecution claimed that Kiama published false information on Twitter and social media pages.
He told the court that they were investigating a case of suspected contravention of several provisions of the computer misuse and cybercrime Act, which also includes false publication contrary to section 22(1) as read with section 22(2) (b) thereof.
He said the suspected offences allegedly occurred on different occasions between April 5 and 6, 2021, by way of publication on social media.