DCI issues arrest warrant for blogger accused of cyber harassment, false information

Blogger Francis Gaitho, accused of cyber crimes, has announced that he will surrender to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) following a warrant issued for his arrest.

DCI issued a warrant of arrest for Gaitho on Thursday saying he is wanted for multiple offences, including cyber harassment and publishing false information.

In a statement on Thursday, DCI revealed that Gaitho was charged under Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act (Case No. CR E738/24) but failed to appear in court on December 4, 2024. As a result, the Milimani Law Courts issued a warrant for his arrest.

They noted that Gaitho is also being investigated for allegedly sharing private information about a senior public officer and for publishing false information targeting other Kenyan citizens.

If arrested, the blogger is further expected to face charges of cyber harassment linked to an online post in which he allegedly disparaged senior government officials.

Awaiting nod from ODPP

The DCI confirmed that these cases are awaiting review and advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The agency appealed to the public to assist in locating Gaitho, urging anyone with information to call their toll-free hotline, 0800 722 203, or report to the nearest police station.

However, taking to his X account, Gaitho disclosed that he would present himself at the DCI headquarters on Monday, January 7, 2025, at 10:00 am, accompanied by his legal team.

He denied the allegations against him, stating, “I’m not a criminal. I’m not a murderer. I’m not a capital offender. I just tweet. Freedom of speech is a constitutional entitlement, and I exercise it to the best of my ability.”

Gaitho alleged that the charges amounted to political persecution, asserting that his actions could have been addressed through civil remedies.

“Other criminals are walking free out here, but mine is political persecution because many of these cases have civil remedies,” he said.

The blogger also criticised the DCI’s public notice, describing it as an attempt to instil fear and alienate him from his support network.

“This latest tweet by DCI is crafted to evoke fear and isolate me from friends and family as they know my lawyers and could have served them directly,” he said.

He called for media coverage during his surrender, citing concerns over enforced disappearances and the need for accountability from law enforcement agencies.

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“We hope you will be there to cover us. In light of all the abductions and enforced disappearances, media coverage will greatly assist in enforcing accountability from law enforcement agencies,” Gaitho added.