Hearing of Dennis Itumbi case over fake DP Ruto assassination plot begins
Dennis Njue Itumbi at the Milimani Law Court on June 15, 2021.
A blogger pulled down a social media report indicating that there was a plot to eliminate Deputy President William Ruto when it caused anxiety, a crime detective has told a court in a case against a former State House director of communications Dennis Njue Itumbi and a blogger.
Testifying before a Milimani chief magistrate Martha Mutuku, Sergent Isaac Ruto said blogger Mr Samuel Gateri Wanjiru had pulled down the post after learning it had caused concern.
Police investigations established the post, which was circulated on social media, was sent from Mr Gateri’s cell phone number, he added.
The detective was giving evidence for the second day in a case against former State House Director of Communications Dennis Njue Itumbi and Mr Gateri. The two are charged with publishing a false statement, contrary to Section 66(1) of the Penal Code.
Fake letter
They have denied that on or before June 20, 2019, at an unknown place, they published a letter dated May 30 2018, with intent to cause anxiety to the general public.
Mr Itumbi was accused of posting the letter in a WhatsApp group of the Tangatanga team allied to DP Ruto.
Dennis Njue Itumbi (right) and Samuel Gateri Wanjiru at the Milimani Law Court on June 15, 2021.
Mr Itumbi is separately charged with making a false document. He is indicted with making a letter dated May 30, 2019 purporting it to be a genuine letter written by a Cabinet Secretary.
The third charge against Mr Itumbi is that of re-programming of a mobile phone contrary to Section 84(G) of the Kenya Information and Communication Act.
Mr Itumbi, who has since stopped working at State House, is charged with interfering with the operation of a mobile phone, make Samsung Note 9, when he was not a manufacturer.
Asked by Mr Majimbo how he arrested Mr Gateri, the crime detective said he was told to travel to Embu to locate the suspect. He successfully located the suspect then arrested him over the social media report alleging an assassination plot against Dr Ruto.
Asked by Defence lawyer George Majimbo how he arrested Mr Gateri, the detective said he was assigned to travel to Embu to locate the suspect, which he did and arrested him. He told the court a letter was written to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to assist in revealing the author of the social media report.
“When I went to Embu I managed to arrest Gateri then recovered his mobile phone and his national identity card,” Sgt Ruto replied when he was cross-examined by defence lawyer George Majimbo.
Sgt Ruto said the CA report handed to the DCI formed the basis of their investigations.
Hearing continues June 21, 2021.
