Police seek to detain two men arrested over post calling for State House's occupation
The two suspects were linked to an inflammatory timetable circulating widely on social media, purportedly calling on demonstrators to storm State House.
The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arraigned two men arrested in connection with a viral online post allegedly calling for the unlawful occupation of State House during the June 25 memorial protests.
The DCI is seeking 10 days to remand the suspects.
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Suleiman Wanjau Bilali and Robert Otiti Elwak were arrested at Muthurwa and Kayole estates, respectively, over accusations of publishing false information, contrary to Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act No. 5 of 2018.
According to an affidavit filed by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the two suspects were linked to an inflammatory timetable circulating widely on social media, purportedly calling on demonstrators to storm State House. The publication, said to have originated from an X account @daguindd (Daguin Dd), went viral in the days leading up to the protest.
The DCI told Milimani Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego that the suspects are believed to be part of a wider network that intended to hijack peaceful protests organised by Kenyan youth, popularly known as "Gen Z", to commit acts of looting, assault, and promote destabilising political ideologies.
On the day of the demonstrations, June 25, property was looted, police officers were injured, and several lives were lost, according to the police. Investigators claim the chaos was part of a coordinated plan that included attempts to breach State House security - an act which, if confirmed, would amount to violations of both the Public Order Act and the Protected Areas Act.
The DCI sought custodial orders to allow for forensic analysis of seized mobile phones, review of bank and M-Pesa statements, and the recording of statements from key witnesses. Sgt Samuel Itegi, the lead investigator, emphasised the complexity of the case and the risk of witness interference should the suspects be released prematurely.
The court will make its ruling on Friday on whether the two wbe detained at Capitol Hill Police Station for 10 days to allow for the completion of investigations.
The arrests come amid heightened scrutiny of online activity linked to recent protests, with law enforcement agencies intensifying efforts to identify individuals suspected of inciting violence under the guise of civil disobedience.
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