NAIROBI, Kenya- Detectives have arrested a man in Narok County over a Facebook page being investigated following reports of online incitement, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) says.
The suspect, identified by the DCI as Festus Kipkirui, also known as Festoo, was arrested in Mararianda, Narok East.
Investigators suspect he operates the Facebook page under the name Kipz Prince en Narok.
The DCI said detectives from its Headquarters Operations Action Team and Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau carried out the arrest.
Kipkirui was undergoing police processing ahead of an anticipated court appearance to face charges, which the agency did not specify.
The DCI has not publicly identified the posts under investigation, said who may have been targeted, or detailed the alleged incitement.
The arrest is not a finding of guilt; the allegations will be tested in court.
DCI urges responsible online communication
In announcing the arrest, the DCI said it was committed to addressing offences it considers a threat to national cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
“The DCI urges members of the public to exercise responsibility in their online communications and refrain from content that promotes hatred, division or incitement,” the agency said.
The case draws attention to the balance between freedom of expression and laws addressing incitement.
Article 33 of Kenya’s Constitution protects freedom of expression, but says that protection does not extend to propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech or advocacy of hatred that constitutes ethnic incitement, vilifies others or incites harm.
The National Cohesion and Integration Act also sets out offences relating to hate speech and ethnic hatred.
