Nairobi-based lawyer Kevin Kachapin, son of West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin, appeared before the Milimani Law Courts on Wednesday representing Charlene Ruto, daughter of President William Ruto, in a high-profile identity theft case.
Charlene is the complainant in a case against Webstar Ochora Elijah, who is accused of impersonating her by publishing a book titled “Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising” under the alias Zawadi Publishers. The court had been scheduled to deliver a ruling on whether to dismiss the case due to Charlene’s failure to appear and testify.
According to the charge sheet, Ochora, together with another individual not before the court, allegedly committed the offence on May 22, 2025, at an unspecified location within Kenya. The prosecution says he acted with intent to defraud by falsely presenting himself as Charlene Ruto.
Ochora, who was arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, faces charges under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act, alongside separate impersonation charges under the Penal Code.
He is currently out on a bond of Sh100,000 or an alternative cash bail of Sh50,000, granted after his defence successfully argued that he poses no flight risk.
In court, Kachapin sought to represent Charlene virtually, citing prior official engagements in Kitale. However, the defence team objected to the request, maintaining that all parties should be physically present if the case is to proceed fairly.
Ochora’s lawyers have decried the case as politically charged, claiming it is a veiled attack on creative freedom and freedom of expression.
The court has rescheduled its ruling on the matter to July 28, 2025, when it will determine whether the case should proceed or be dismissed due to the complainant’s absence.
Written by Were Kelly
