A man was on Monday, April 28, 2025, arraigned in court over allegations of publishing “grossly offensive” content on Facebook against former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero.
The accused, Bonface Mondi Nyangla, is said to have used a Facebook account under the name “Omondi Nyangla” to post remarks in the Luo language that allegedly tarnished Kidero’s reputation. The incident reportedly occurred on April 20, 2025.
According to the charge sheet, the online post was not only “grossly offensive” but also had a detrimental impact on the former governor’s reputation. The prosecution claims that the remarks were intended to expose Dr. Kidero to public ridicule and damage his standing among his peers and the general public.
Appearing before the court, Nyangla denied the charges. His lawyer argued that his client’s right to freedom of expression was being unfairly targeted and that the case was a misuse of the criminal justice system to silence critical voices on social media. However, the prosecution insisted that the nature of the post went beyond fair comment and amounted to criminal defamation.
The court granted Nyangla a cash bail of Ksh.400,000, pending the hearing and determination of the case. The magistrate warned that freedom of expression does not extend to publishing content that is defamatory, offensive, or harmful to another person’s reputation.
This case highlights the growing tension in Kenya between the right to free speech and the need to regulate online behavior. Social media platforms like Facebook have increasingly become arenas for political commentary, personal grievances, and, at times, defamatory attacks, prompting authorities to crack down on abusive content.
Former Governor Evans Kidero, who served as Nairobi’s first governor between 2013 and 2017, has largely stayed away from the political limelight in recent years but remains a prominent public figure.
The case will be mentioned in court in May 2025, when directions regarding the full hearing will be given.
Meanwhile, legal experts are keenly watching the proceedings, as the outcome could set a precedent for how online speech, especially on social media, is handled in future defamation and cybercrime cases in Kenya.
