A university student was charged in court for posting a misleading image on X (formerly Twitter) suggesting that President William Ruto’s body was being transported.
The photo depicted a casket draped in a Kenyan flag, escorted by military officers in ceremonial uniform. According to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the post was doctored to make it appear genuine, including altering the date
Pres William Ruto and his Deputy President Hon Rigathi Gachagua during a past event. Photo: William Ruto (Facebook)
The alleged offence occurred on November 13, 2024, at an undisclosed location in Kenya, violating The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act No. 5 of 2018.
The Act prohibits the intentional publication of false or misleading data intended to be perceived as authentic. Conviction under this law can lead to a fine of up to KSh 5 million or a maximum of two years in prison.
The student, appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhumbi, pleaded not guilty and was granted a bond of KSh 100,000 or an alternative cash bail of KSh 50,000.
President William Ruto speaking during a State House meeting. Photo: William Ruto Source: Facebook
The student spent four days in custody until colleagues raised the bail amount. The case is scheduled for mention on December 4.
This incident follows a recent case involving influencer Francis Gaitho, who faced legal issues for allegedly spreading false information linking an innocent person to a crime.
The increasing scrutiny of online posts highlights the authorities’ efforts to combat misinformation and ensure responsible use of social media platforms.
