Man charged with cyber harassment over alleged threatening message to magistrate

According to the charge sheet, Francis Kamau Karanja is accused of sending the message to Magistrate Margaret Murage on September 28, 2026.

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.

Prosecutors allege that Karanja sent the message to Murage's mobile phone at about 7pm while at an unknown location within Kenya.

The message allegedly accused the magistrate of bias in a case involving Gabriel Saka and warned her that the sender would pursue what he termed justice.

“I have noted the great bias in the case of Gabriel Saka. It seems you have taken sides and we will not allow it,” part of the message cited in the charge sheet reads.

The message further allegedly warned the magistrate to “Chunga kazi yako” and “Tunajua kwako,” phrases which prosecutors contend were likely to cause apprehension or fear of violence.

According to the charge sheet, Karanja was arrested on October 5 without a warrant and taken to court on October 6.

He was listed as being in custody at the time the charge sheet was prepared.

The prosecution listed Murage and a police officer identified as CPL Clement Muthoka among the witnesses in the case.