NAIROBI, Kenya- Justin Kinyua Mwangi, the political blogger affiliated with the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) who was arrested over alleged hate speech and ethnic contempt, has been released unconditionally after appearing in court.
Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina, who was present at the proceedings, confirmed the development in a a tweet.
“I just left court. Justin Kinyua has been released unconditionally,” she said.
Kinyua was arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on August 4 in Wang’uru Town, Kirinyaga County.
The DCI had accused him of publishing content on social media amounting to hate speech and ethnic contempt.
The agency said Kinyua, who describes himself on Facebook as a political storyteller and digital strategist, was to face charges under Sections 13 and 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
His arrest drew political reactions from opposition leaders and allies, who linked it to what they described as an ongoing crackdown on government critics and online political activists.
Supporters of Kinyua argued that law enforcement agencies had selectively targeted opposition-linked bloggers while failing to take similar action against individuals accused of making inflammatory statements in support of the government.
