Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | Political activist David Morara Kebaso, popularly known as Morara Kebaso Snr, has been formally charged with cyber harassment under Section 27 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act No. 5 of 2018.
Leading his defense is Martha Karua, the leader of NARC-Kenya, supported by a team of over 10 advocates.
These charges arise following his dramatic arrest at his office in Kahawa Sukari, Kiambu County on Monday 30, September 2024, linked to an incident that took place on September 28, 2024.
David Morara Kebaso, a prominent political activist known as Morara Kebaso Snr, faces charges of cyber harassment for allegedly spreading false information about billionaire businessman David Langat on his X account.
According to the charge sheet, Kebaso, alongside unidentified accomplices, is accused of deliberately posting a message intended to discredit Langat and damage his reputation.
The controversial post claimed that President William Ruto had solicited financial support from Langat during his campaign, suggesting that Langat took out substantial loans secured by his properties.
The allegations further asserted that Langat was being auctioned off by banks and that President Ruto was leveraging his influence to acquire Langat’s assets at a significantly undervalued price.
While the complainant’s identity remains unclear, Kebaso’s legal team contends that the matter pertains more to issues of defamation and reputation than to cyber harassment. They have raised concerns regarding the charge sheet, questioning the complainant’s identity and the appropriateness of criminal charges.
Following his arraignment, Kebaso was released on a cash bail of Ksh. 50,000, with the case set for mention on October 4.
Prior to his arrest, Kebaso reported feeling harassed by government agents, claiming to have been followed by vehicles with unidentified license plates.
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He has been actively traveling across the country to expose stalled government projects and what he perceives as rampant corruption.
As a vocal critic of President Ruto, Kebaso emphasizes the importance of his accountability work, asserting that concerns for his personal safety would hinder his efforts. He is a father of two and has openly discussed receiving threats as a result of his activism.
“If I worry too much, I will not be able to continue my work,” he remarked.
“What I am doing is extremely risky. I have experienced incidents where my phone was tracked and vehicles with untraceable number plates were seen near my home.”
