Nairobi News

NewsWhat's Hot

Blogger in court over tweet on KDF mission


A prisons officer who is also a popular blogger was on Monday charged at a Lamu court for improper use of telecommunication system.

The blogger, Patrick Safari, popularly known for his Twitter handle @moderncorps,  is accused of sending out a social media alert on July 8 that said the Kenya Defence Forces had taken control of the Bodhai region in Lamu county.

“KDF have taken over all security operations in Lamu County…The Soldiers will now be escorting passenger buses to/from Lamu,”the tweet read.

The 28-year-old was Monday released on a bond and his case set for hearing at a later date.

FOILED ATTACK

The tweet had been sent out on a day when security forces had foiled an attack on a convoy of buses heading to Lamu. The buses were being escorted by police officers when suspected Al-Shabaab terrorists staged an ambush at Milihoi, about 10 kilometres past Mpeketoni.

Gunshots had rent the air, causing panic among the drivers and passengers, but police managed to repulse the attackers.

Police then ordered the bus drivers to turn around and go to Mkunumbi trading centre, where they spent about an hour while waiting for reinforcements.

SCOOPS

The blogger has a record of posting in-depth scoops on police operations.

He has previously been arrested in connection with allegedly obtaining money from a prospective recruit in the prisons department.

During his stay at the police cell awaiting prosecution, he told fellow bloggers that he had been investigating claims that prisons heads were obtaining money from new recruits to offer them the positions.

He was later released and eventually transferred from Nairobi to Maralal.