Nairobi News

A blogger who uses the name and picture of a lady on his X (formerly) twitter account has been charged with publishing false information.

Silvance Adongo Abeta, who is known to have been blogging for the opposition’s Azimio Coalition in the run-up to the 2022 presidential elections, is accused of indicating on social media that a sudden media publication was about to run an article alleging Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will facilitate the elimination of Kiharu lawmaker Ndindi Nyoro for Sh230m.

Abeta, who uses the name of Karen Wanjiku HSC (@wanjikuHSC) on social media, was arraigned before Milimani chief magistrate Susan Shitubi by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) officers attached to the Serious Crime and Cybercrime unit.

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He denied the charges of publishing false information contrary to section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime.

Abeta is charged that on September 3, 2023, at an unknown place within the Republic of Kenya, he knowingly published false information about His Excellency the Deputy President Hon Rigathi Gachagua on the social media account Karen Wanjiku HSC @WanjikuHSC.

The alleged false information that he published claimed that his National Intelligence Service (NIS) sources believed a newspaper would publish an article of confirmed bounty rumours involving Riggy G.

The charge further stated the killing of Nyoro is supposed to look like his (rigathi’s) blood brother’s assassination accident.

Further, the charge stated the said false information was meant to discredit the reputation of the Deputy President.

The accused, who had embarked on an online fundraiser to source funds to aid him in this case, was remanded to enable the prosecutor to get further instructions.

Ms Shitubi remanded the blogger in custody.

Abeta will make a bail application after the prosecutor gets further instructions.

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