NAIROBI, Kenya — Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested and charged a 30-year-old blogger and human rights activist over social media posts questioning the source of wealth accumulated by Kenya’s political class, in a case that has reignited debate over free speech and online expression.
The suspect, identified as Boniface Mulinge Muteti, was arraigned before the Milimani Law Courts on Monday and charged with disseminating false information and incitement under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act, 2018.
According to court documents, Muteti allegedly made a post on X (formerly Twitter) on December 6, 2025, using the account @mulinge_muteti_, in which he questioned how politicians acquire wealth and urged members of the public to seize what he described as “ill-gotten property.”
In the contested post, Muteti is accused of writing: “If you come across anything owned by politicians, anza kuchukua. These people have never worked anywhere, innovated or invented anything. Everything they own was stolen from Kenyans and must be returned to Kenyans.”
Police further alleged that Muteti encouraged the public to “arm themselves and prepare for a revolution,” remarks investigators said amounted to incitement and posed a risk to public order.
The DCI said the suspect knowingly published false information with the intention of inciting violence, contrary to Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act No. 5 of 2018, which criminalises the publication of false data likely to cause panic, violence or damage to public confidence.
Muteti was arrested by officers from the Special Crime Unit (SCU) and presented before Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court granted him cash bail of Sh15,000 and ordered the prosecution to supply the defence with witness statements and documentary evidence ahead of trial. The case is scheduled for mention on December 30, 2025, for pretrial directions.
“The accused is granted cash bail of Sh15,000 with one contact person. The matter will be mentioned on December 30, 2025,” Magistrate Onyina ruled.
Following the arraignment, the DCI issued a caution to Kenyans over the use of social media platforms, warning that online posts deemed to spread false information or incite violence could attract criminal sanctions.
“The DCI reminds Kenyans that spreading false information online is a criminal offence and urges responsible use of social media,” the agency said.
The case comes amid heightened scrutiny over the application of cybercrime laws, with rights groups frequently raising concerns that such provisions are increasingly being used to police political speech and online dissent.
