A fired KDF officer was accused in Milimani law courts of spreading false information on Facebook about the Chief of General Staff, Francis Ogolla, supporting anti-government protests planned by Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
Corporal Franklin Opiyo Ogonji appeared before Milimani Magistrate Ben Mark Enhubi and denied four counts of false information publication and criminal harassment.
Ogonji, who was fired from the Kenya Defence Forces in 2019, was facing a court martial case in which he was accused of stealing dry food rations from Moi Air Base in Nanyuki.
He is suspected of hijacking a fully parked vehicle and stealing sugar, army biscuits, canned meat, beans, pineapples, jam, and minced beef of millions of dollars.
Ogonji who is master’s degree holder in procurement was charged with publishing false information that Chief of the General Staff Ogolla was funding the July Azimio Coalition anti-government protests over the high cost of living.
State prosecutor Virginia Kariuki stated that Ogonji published in his Facebook account namely Frank Mac Poyoz words to the effect that ” …. Francis Omondi Ogolla is funding Mandamano Usiku wanakutana na Rao (Rail Amollo Odinga) Mchana ako na WSR(President William Samoei Ruto). Waende jela, they are criminals we will stand with our able President WSR( at night Ogolla meats Rao at day time he is with the President. “
The former KDF officer also faced another charge of publishing false information that ” Handshake generated Airforce Commanders paid nine DCI Officers Sh 200,000 each to kill me but God save me.”
He allegedly published the said false information on December 9,2022.
On June 11 this year Ogonji is accused of harassing the chief of General Staff Ogolla by publishing words “… Ogolla do the honorable thing resign and join Rao on the streets, Shame on you.”
Further, Ogonji denied that on July 24,2023 with the country he published another false information to the effect that ” Gerald Akoko Ogonji rumours has it you were behind my abduction with Francis Omondi Ogolla only time will tell if you are above the law.”
Applying to be released on bond Ogonji claimed that he was fearing for his life as one of the investigation officers who he identified in court had threatened to kill him and throw him in River Yala.
” He told me that this will be my last arrest. If l continue committing other offences as he will kill me and throw me to River Yala, ” Said Ogonji.
He further claimed that he had been abducted and for one year and one month at DCI Headquarters over unknown offences.
He shocked the court by claims that during the illegal detention he was chained both hands and legs and held incommunicado at the DCI headquarters.
He added that general Ogolla and police have incited his family members and relatives to turn against him for financial support.
The magistrate released him on a bond of Ksh 100,000 with an alternative cash bail of Ksh 50,000.
The case will be mentioned on September 20 for pre-trial.
