Teacher accused of impersonating Ruto's daughter to stay behind bars
Samwel Mogwasi Mainga, a junior secondary school teacher before Milimani Law Courts on April 10, 2025.
A Nyamira teacher accused of impersonating the daughter of President William Ruto will spend the night at Capitol Hill Police Station, Nairobi, pending a bail ruling tomorrow.
Samuel Mainga, a Junior Secondary School (JSS) teacher, is accused of purporting to be June Ruto on Facebook.
He was arrested by police in Mombasa while accompanying JSS students attending a national sports event.
Mainga is alleged to have posted content on a Facebook account purporting to be the president’s daughter on March 20 and April 8, 2025.
When he was produced in court Thursday, police sought an order to hold him for seven days. In an affidavit sworn by Police Constable Peter Mwangi, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has requested a week to continue holding Mainga in a bid to complete investigations into alleged identity theft and impersonation.
The detective told court that the suspect was arrested on Wednesday April 9, 2025, and flown to Nairobi to facilitate the ongoing probe.
The court heard that the police also need more time to obtain vital information and documents relating to what they termed as a “complex” case.
The officer also urged the court not to grant bail or bond, arguing that the suspect might flee as his place of abode has yet to be established.
However, the teacher’s lawyer—Danstan Omari—sought to have him released on bail as the the investigation continues. He argued that the police do not need to keep him in custody as they record witness statements.
The court moved to detain Mainga until Friday 9am pending a ruling on whether to grant DCI the seven days.