Social Media User Released on Sh100,000 Bond After Sharing Photo of President Ruto Leaving Lee Funeral Home
A university student, David Oaga Mokaya, was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on Monday, November 18, 2024, for allegedly spreading false information on social media. Mokaya, who operates under the handle “Landlord @bozgabi” on X (formerly Twitter), is accused of sharing a misleading image that falsely portrayed President William Ruto leaving Lee Funeral Home in a funeral procession.
According to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the image shared on November 13, 2024, depicted a casket draped in the Kenyan flag, accompanied by military officers in ceremonial uniforms. Mokaya allegedly captioned the photo to insinuate that it was President Ruto’s casket, misleading the public and causing widespread reactions online.
The prosecution informed the court that the image had been falsified, including alterations to the date and other details, to make the post appear credible. The act violated laws aimed at combating disinformation and maintaining public order.
Mokaya appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhumbi, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of publishing false information. The prosecution underscored the seriousness of the charges, citing the potential impact of such misinformation on public trust and stability.
The court granted Mokaya a bond of Sh100,000 or a cash bail of Sh50,000, allowing his temporary release pending further proceedings.
The case has been scheduled for hearing on December 4, 2024.
