Man arrested over tweet claiming gov’t lying about coronavirus in Kenya

A 23-year-old man was arrested on Sunday in Mwingi, Kitui County for publishing misleading and alarming information on the coronavirus disease.

The suspect identified as Elijah Muthui Kitonyo posted a tweet claiming that the government lied about the origin of the first coronavirus case in Kenya that was confirmed last Friday.

Muthui, who masqueraded as a Kenya Airways staff, claimed the patient arrived from Italy, this despite the national carrier banning flights on the Rome–Geneva route.

Confirming the arrest, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said: “He will be charged for publishing false information that is calculated or results in panic contrary to section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act of 2018.”

If found guilty, Muthui will be liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh.5 million or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, or to both.

Meanwhile, the government has warned the public to be responsible and to desist from authoring, publishing or sharing unconfirmed information that may cause panic and anxiety.