Kibera court defers plea in cyber harassment case involving magistrate

A Kibera Law Court has deferred the plea taking of a man charged with cyber harassment over a message allegedly sent to a Magistrate following an application by the prosecution to have the case transferred to the Milimani Law Courts.

The prosecution applied for the plea to be deferred and the file transferred to Milimani, an application that was opposed by the defence.

In its ruling the court said it was of the considered view that prosecuting the matter at Kibera Law Courts could lead to allegations of bias.

The court said issues concerning alleged violations of the accused person's rights could be addressed once he takes plea.

The accused was ordered to remain in custody and be presented before Milimani Court 1 on Thursday for plea taking.

The accused, Francis Kamau Karanja, faces a charge of cyber harassment contrary to Section 27(1)(a), as read with Section 27(2), of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.

According to the charge sheet, Karanja allegedly sent a message on September 28, 2026, to a mobile number registered in the name of Magistrate Margaret Murage.

The prosecution alleges that the message, which referenced the handling of a case involving Gabriel Saka, contained words likely to cause apprehension or fear of violence to the judge.