David Oaga Mokaya, a university student, has been charged at the Milimani Law Courts with publishing false information online against President William Ruto.
The prosecution alleged that Mokaya, using his X account dubbed “Landlord @bozgabi,” posted an image of a funeral procession featuring a casket covered with the Kenyan flag and escorted by military officers in ceremonial uniform. The post, accompanied by a caption, suggested it depicted President William Ruto’s body being transported. Mokaya is also accused of fabricating the date on the image to make the post appear authentic.
The offense is alleged to have been committed on November 13, 2024, at an unspecified location within Kenya.
Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhumbi, Mokaya pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court granted him a bond of KSh 100,000 with an alternative cash bail of KSh 50,000. The case is set for mention on December 4, 2024.
The charge of publishing false information falls under Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, which criminalizes the dissemination of misleading or false content that may cause public harm or distress.
Mokaya’s legal team did not issue any immediate statements following the court session. If found guilty, he faces penalties as prescribed under the Cybercrimes Act.The court will reconvene next month to review the case further