Lawyer Charged with Cyber Harassment Crime, Released on Bond

An advocate of the high court has been charged with a cyber harassment crime at a Nairobi court.
Kelvin Karuga Mwaura appeared before the Milimani senior principal magistrate Dolphina Alego early today, facing six cyber harassment charges.

The prosecution told the court that on August 31, 2023, at 10:00 am at an unknown place within the Republic of Kenya, he sent an email to Geoffrey Kiarie Kuria through his email address, which he maliciously intended to injure him.

According to the document presented before the court, one of the emails read,

“You are a Lucifer, and that will never change.”

The prosecution further told the court that the accused went on different days to send other emails to the complainant where he intentionally wanted to injure and destroy his reputation.

On September 4, 2023, at an unknown place within the country, Karuga continued to send other abusive emails to the complainant,

“Kazi ya shetani ati warrants of attachments; this is a manifestation of Lucifer’s work,” it read.

Another email read,

“Geoffrey Lucifer Kiarie you will definitely die. Unless your money can buy a new life, you will definitely die. I am sick of you buda boss. Calling you El patron, na wewe you have no spine. You have no spine you are a coward devil worshiper and a worthless best friend. Who is massaging your ego nowadays Escobar? Nobody! We have unmasked we have unmasked you. Tajiri. Those who the gods will destroy they first make mad.”

He appeared before senior principal magistrate Dolphina Alego and denied the charges.

Karuga, who is the advocate of the high court, pleaded with the court for leniency on bond terms, citing that he is not a flight risk,

“Your honor, I plead with this court for leniency in bond terms since I am not a flight risk, and I will not interfere with witnesses,” he pleaded.

The magistrate released him on a bond of Sh 200,000 with a surety of the same amount or alternative cash bail of Sh 100,000 with one contact person.

The matter will be mentioned on January 16, 2024, for pre-trial.