Nairobi court denies man accused of threatening magistrate bail

A Nairobi court has denied bail to Francis Kamau Karanja, who was charged at the Milimani Law Courts with cyber harassment over a message allegedly sent to a magistrate.

The court ruled that the allegations raised concerns about possible interference with witnesses if the accused person were released on bail.

Karanja had denied the charge of cyber harassment contrary to Section 27(1)(a), as read with Section 27(2), of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.

The prosecution alleges that on September 28, 2026, Karanja sent a message to a mobile phone number registered in the name of Magistrate Margaret Murage.

According to the charge sheet, the message, which allegedly referred to the handling of a case involving Gabriel Saka, contained words likely to cause apprehension or fear of violence to the judicial officer.

Opposing his release on bond, the prosecution argued that the case was extraordinary because the alleged victim is a judicial officer.

The State told the court that the alleged message had caused the magistrate to avoid using her residence and vehicle, leaving her living in fear.

The prosecution urged the court to consider the Judiciary Bail and Bond Policy Guidelines, particularly the need to protect victims and prevent possible interference with witnesses when determining whether to release an accused person on bail.

Karanja's lawyer, Muriithi Mbaabu, had urged the court to grant his client reasonable and lenient bail terms.

The defence argued that Karanja had been denied police bail without being informed of the reasons for his arrest.

He was initially taken to Kilimani Police Station on Tuesday but was not arraigned that day. He was subsequently presented before the Kibera Law Courts on Wednesday, where plea-taking was deferred after the prosecution sought to have the matter transferred to Milimani.

The Kibera court directed that the accused be presented before Milimani Court 1 for plea-taking, noting that proceeding with the case in Kibera could raise allegations of bias.

The ruling denying Karanja bail means he will remain in custody as the case proceeds, subject to any further orders by the court.