NAIROBI, Kenya- Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a 33-year-old man accused of making inflammatory public utterances that went viral on social media and were deemed a threat to national cohesion and stability.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the DCI said the suspect, identified as Evans Onyango Kawala alias “Kidero Jasuba,” was arrested in the Shujaa Mall area of Kayole during an operation conducted by detectives from the Operations Support Unit (OSU).
The agency said the suspect is currently in custody, undergoing processing ahead of his arraignment in court.
“Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a suspect linked to inflammatory public utterances that have gone viral across social media platforms, with content deemed highly inciteful and a serious threat to public cohesion and national stability,” the statement read.
Authorities did not immediately disclose the exact nature of the remarks or the social media posts under investigation, but the arrest comes amid heightened political tensions and growing concerns over hate speech and ethnic incitement ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The DCI warned Kenyans against spreading inflammatory content online, saying individuals found culpable would face legal consequences.
“The DCI cautions the public against making public utterances or disseminating content that incites violence, spreads hatred, or undermines peace and national unity,” the agency stated.
“Such acts amount to serious offences, and those found culpable will face firm legal action in accordance with the law,” it added.
The arrest comes at a time when security agencies have intensified monitoring of social media platforms following a surge in politically charged statements and ethnic rhetoric linked to ongoing national debates over the economy, anti-government protests and succession politics.
Kenya has previously witnessed deadly violence fuelled by hate speech and ethnic mobilisation, particularly during election periods, prompting authorities to increase surveillance and enforcement against online incitement.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has also repeatedly warned politicians, influencers and social media users against sharing divisive content capable of inflaming tensions across communities.
Human rights groups, however, have in the past urged security agencies to ensure enforcement actions do not infringe on constitutional freedoms of expression and political dissent.
The suspect is expected to be arraigned once investigations are completed.
