Court issues arrest warrant against Francis Gaitho

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Gaitho had been charged with the offence of publishing false information in violation of Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act.  

He, however, failed to attend the court session last month, prompting the Milimani Law Courts to direct the DCI to apprehend the suspect forthwith. 

The DCI also revealed that the blogger is under investigation for sharing personal information of a senior public officer and publishing false information contrary to the law. 

If apprehended, the suspect will face multiple counts of cyber harassment for a post in which he's accused of defaming senior government officials.

The DCI officers have since forwarded the files to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions pending further direction. 

"If you have any information that may lead to the prompt arrest of the suspect, please call our toll-free hotline at 0800 722 203 anonymously or report to the nearest police station." 

Following DCI's announcement, Gaitho took to social media to reveal that he would present himself at DCI headquarters on Monday, January 7, at 10:00 am accompanied by his lawyers. 

"I’m not a criminal. I’m not a murderer. I’m not a capital offender. I just tweet. Freedom of speech is a constitutional entitlement and I exercise it to the best of my ability," he posted on X. 

"Other criminals are walking free out here but mine is political persecution because many of these cases have civil remedies." 

He said that the DCI's post aimed to invoke fear and isolate him from his friends and family. 

"This latest tweet by DCI is crafted to evoke fear and isolate me from friends and family as they know my lawyers and could have served them directly," he noted. 

"We hope you will be there to cover us. In light of all the abductions and enforced disappearances, media coverage will greatly assist in enforcing accountability from law enforcement agencies."