DCI goes after blogger Francis Gaitho

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched a manhunt for blogger and government critic Francis Gaitho, whom they say has several crimes to answer for.

Through its official X platform, DCI on Thursday said that Mr Gaitho had been charged with the offence of publishing false information in violation of Section 23 of the Computer Misuse Cyber Crimes Act last year but failed to show up in court.

“He absconded a court session on December 4, 2024, which resulted in the issuance of a warrant of arrest by the Milimani Law Courts,” the DCI said.

The DCI is also investigating Mr Gaitho for allegedly sharing personal information of a senior public officer and publishing false information against other Kenyan citizens.

Once arrested, the investigators said the suspect would face multiple counts of cyber harassment for a post in which he disparaged senior government officials.

“The above files are pending perusal and advice by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. If you have any information that may lead to the prompt arrest of the suspect, please call our hotline anonymously or report to the nearest police station,” the DCI said.

Shortly after the detectives made public their plans to arrest him, Mr Gaitho posted on his X platform that he would be presenting himself at DCI headquarters on Kiambu Road in Nairobi on January 7, 2025, at 10am accompanied by his lawyers.

“I am not a criminal. I am not a murderer. I am not a capital offender. I just tweet. Freedom of speech is a constitutional entitlement and I exercise it to the best of my ability,” he posted.

He further questioned why the police were keen on arresting him yet “other criminals are walking free” adding that his case is one of political persecution because many of the cases he is being accused of have civil remedies.

“The latest tweet by DCI is crafted to evoke fear and isolate me from friends and family as they know my lawyers and could have served them directly,” he said.

With the current wave of abductions and enforced disappearances, Mr Gaitho expressed his hope that the media would cover him and his lawyers when he presents himself at the DCI since “media coverage will greatly assist in enforcing accountability” from law enforcement agencies.

Mr Gaitho’s fate has sparked controversy online, with X users getting split on the subject.

Some believe that his decision to not show up in court should not be condoned with another lot believing he is simply being targeted for being a serious government critic.

Mr Gaitho has been highlighting government excesses in matters of extrajudicial killings, abductions, arbitrary arrests, and torture.