A form one student Nuru Maloba Okanga has been charged at a Nairobi court with publication of false information and providing Telecommunications services without a valid license.
Okanga, a student at Mwangaza Secondary School in Kayole denied three counts levelled against him before a Milimani chief magistrate Bernard Ochoi.
The court heard that on diverse dates between June 7 and 10, 2024 jointly with others not before the court at an unknown place within the republic of Kenya knowingly and unlawfully published false, defamatory and threatening information online while using the TikTok account Riba News @ribanews and siasa.tv.ke.backup.
Posted information under the title “Nuru Okanga Rigathi Gachagua piga Ruto risasi.”
The prosecution said that false information was well calculated to cause fear, and panic among the citizens of Kenya and destroy the reputation of the executive leadership of the Republic of Kenya.
In the second count, he is accused of publishing false, defamatory and threatening information online while using a TikTok account and posting a video titled “Pilot wa Ruto adungwe Shindani.”
The said false information was meant to cause fear, and panic among the citizens of Kenya and lower the dignity of the executive.
The third count, states that on June 7 and 12, 2024, while using his TikTok account he allegedly posted information at Riba News under the title “Nuru Okanga Rigathi Gachagua piga Ruto risasi,”….and pilot wa Ruto adungwe Shindani.”
The said information was published contravened provisions of a license issued to Riba News.
Defence lawyer Shadrack Wambui urged the court to release the student on reasonable bond saying he has no income and relies on support from sponsors who pay for his school fees.
Wambui added that although the accused is a student he is a family man where his wife and child are currently admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital,
“Against this backdrop I urge this court to release the accused on reasonable bond terms since he is a frequent court user,” urged Wambui.
Wambui told the court that Okanga was arrested on June 11, 2024, and had been in custody since then.
State prosecutor James Gachoka did not oppose the bail application.
In the brief ruling, the magistrate considered the application by the defence and ordered the accused to deposit a cash bail of Sh 100,000 with one contact person or an alternative bond of Sh 200,000.
The matter was scheduled for mention on July 3, 2024, for directions.
