Nuru Okanga, a vocal supporter of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has been detained for five days following his arrest on Tuesday, June 11, during an operation conducted at his home in Kayole. Okanga is accused of operating social media accounts that posted content deemed detrimental to the state. He was subsequently taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters along Kiambu Road for further interrogation.
The prosecution, represented by Virginia Kariuki, asserted that Okanga had posted comments on various social media platforms, including TikTok and YouTube, that posed a potential threat to public peace, order, and safety. These posts, published on several accounts linked to Okanga, have raised significant concerns among law enforcement agencies.
In addition to the accusations of spreading harmful content, Okanga faces allegations of cyber harassment, which violates the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2018. The act stipulates stringent penalties for such offenses, including fines of up to Ksh5 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
Appearing at the Milimani Law Courts, the judge ordered Okanga’s detention at the Muthaiga police station to allow the DCI sufficient time to complete their investigations. Okanga’s case is scheduled for mention on June 18, 2024.
This arrest follows a previous incident in November last year when Okanga was detained and charged with spreading false information on a YouTube channel. The controversial post targeted President William Ruto and was reportedly intended to discredit the president and provoke a breach of the peace. In the video, Okanga issued threats against the President and his allies, accusing the government of undermining the opposition.
The current detention underscores the government’s commitment to addressing cybercrimes and maintaining public order in the digital age. The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2018 serves as a crucial legislative tool in curbing the spread of false information and cyber harassment, aiming to ensure that the digital space remains a safe environment for all users.
As the investigation continues, all eyes will be on the developments in Okanga’s case, highlighting the ongoing challenges and complexities of regulating online content and protecting public interests in the modern era.
