Activist Mutemi Kiama freed on Ksh.500K cash bail, ordered not to use social media

Activist Edwin Mutemi Kiama was on Thursday freed on a Ksh.500,000 cash bail pending police probe following alleged cybercrime offences of producing ‘public notice’ posters using images of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.

The activist was also ordered not to use his social media accounts and to report to the investigating officer daily as the case was set for mention on April 20, 2021.

Kiama, who spent the night in police custody, was previously arraigned in a Nairobi court on Wednesday where the prosecution sought for a period of 14 days to hold him pending completion of investigations.

Investigating Officer Patrick Kibowen, in an affidavit seen by Citizen Digital, said he was probing possible offences under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act No.5 of 2018.

Kiama was arrested over two posters warning the International Monetary Fund (IMF) against issuing further loans to Kenya, more directly to President Kenyatta and his DP Ruto.

The prosecution alluded to suspicion that the suspect must have been in collusion with other persons who are still being pursued.

“If the orders sought are not granted, the respondent is likely to interfere with investigations and potential witnesses,” the court heard.