NAIROBI, Kenya – A Milimani court has issued a warrant of arrest against social media influencer Francis Gaitho after he failed to appear for the mention of his criminal case.
Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki granted the prosecution’s application on Monday, July 30, citing Gaitho’s repeated failure to attend court proceedings.
“The court allows the application. A warrant of arrest is hereby issued,” ruled Magistrate Ondieki.
The case, now scheduled for mention on July 14, 2025, stems from charges relating to the publication of false information on social media, contrary to Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.
Linked to Gen Z Protests and Kware Murders
Gaitho was first arrested in July 2024 at the height of the Gen Z protests, after he made controversial posts on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
According to the charge sheet, the influencer alleged that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had apprehended the wrong suspect in the widely publicised Kware serial murder case, which involved the recovery of multiple bodies of women in a Nairobi neighbourhood.
Police had arrested one Collins Jumaisi, who allegedly confessed to the killings but later escaped from Gigiri Police Station and remains at large.
Prosecutors argue that Gaitho’s post, made on July 15, 2024, was presented as fact and intended to mislead the public, obstruct investigations, and potentially endanger innocent individuals.
He faces a second count of publishing false information likely to expose an individual to harm or loss, despite allegedly knowing the claims were unverified.
Gaitho previously pleaded not guilty and was released on Sh30,000 cash bail, but has since missed several court appearances.
