David Oaga Mokaya, a university student, has been charged at the Milimani Law Courts with publishing false information after sharing a controversial image on his X account, “Landlord (@bozgabi).”
The image allegedly depicted a casket draped in the Kenyan flag being escorted by military officers, with insinuations that it represented the body of President William Ruto.
During the proceedings before Senior Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhumbi, it was revealed that the image was accompanied by a fabricated caption intended to lend credibility to the post.
Such actions have raised concerns regarding the dissemination of misinformation in the digital age, particularly regarding public figures and national leadership.
Mokaya pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bond terms of Ksh 100,000 or an alternative cash bail of Ksh 50,000.
The court highlighted the gravity of the allegations, emphasizing the potential implications of spreading false information about a sitting president.
The case has garnered attention amidst a broader dialogue in Kenya surrounding online content regulation and accountability.
With the rise of social media, the spread of misleading information has become a pressing issue, prompting authorities to take action against those who exploit these platforms for malicious purposes.
The matter is scheduled for mention on December 4, 2024, as the legal proceedings continue to unfold in this high-profile case.
