Mombasa: University student charged with hacking journalist’s WhatsApp account

A university student has been charged in a Mombasa court for allegedly hacking a journalist’s WhatsApp account and using it to defraud contacts.

The accused, Cyrus Kibet Rono, was arraigned before Resident Magistrate Green Odera, where he denied multiple charges under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018.

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Rono unlawfully accessed the journalist’s account and is accused of doing so with the intent to commit theft.

“Prosecution charged him with unauthorised access contrary to Section 14(1), as well as access with intent to commit a further offence under Section 15, for allegedly infiltrating the journalist’s WhatsApp account with the intent to commit theft,” stated the ODPP.

He also faces charges of identity theft and impersonation, with prosecutors alleging he used the compromised account to target unsuspecting contacts.

The court also heard that the accused was arrested on April 14, 2026, and found in possession of 39 Safaricom SIM card passwords believed to have been fraudulently obtained and linked to theft-related activities.

Principal Prosecution Counsel Purity Musembi, however opposed his release on bond, citing ongoing investigations and the possibility of interference with evidence.

The investigating officer informed the court that forensic analysis is being conducted on seized electronic devices and that the accused is linked to other similar offences.

Magistrate Odera directed that Rono be remanded at Urban Police Station pending a ruling on his bond application.