Suspect in false social media post on CS Matiang’i detained for two days

One of the suspects arrested.[Photo: Courtesy]

Isaac Kibet, 33, will be detained for two more days at Muthaiga Police Station giving room for the police to complete investigations into his case.

Kibet, was on Monday arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts and charged with publishing a social media post, that alleged the Interior CS Fred Matiangi was admitted at the Aga Khan Hospital's ICU battling Covid-19.

According to the prosecution, they will need at least 14 working days to complete the investigations.

"The nature of investigations will require the investigators to get reports from forensic experts since some of his gadgets have been seized," the prosecution said.

The prosecution team led by Jacinta Nyamosi further argued that the forensic experts needed time to prepare a report and releasing the suspect would likely interfere with the investigations since he would access his Facebook and Twitter accounts.

However, the plea was denied by Milimani’s Chief magistrate Martha Mutuku, who ruled that 14 days were too many bearing in mind the prosecution already had the suspect's gadgets.

Kibet, a free-lance journalist was arrested together with 19-year-old Emanuel Kimutai Kosgei on July 25 in Ngeria area, Uasin Gishu County.

According to the DCI, a laptop and two mobile phones that were used in publishing and disseminating the information were confiscated during the arrest.

Through social media, DCI condemned the act and warned Kenyans that those found committing the same offense would be punished for going against the law as provided under the Communication Act.

“It is extremely callous for one detached from sense of humanity to cause calculated, choreographed, planned, coordinated, conspired panic, apprehension, shock, devastation etc. that may have far reaching consequences not limited to sudden risks to life,” said the DCI.

In an interview at his Harambee House office on 24 July, CS Matiangi dismissed the claims that he had tested positive for Covid-19.

“If I was sick of Covid-19, I will be the first to go public with it because there is nothing to hide. I have been tested three times because our level of exposure is high because of high interactions.

“I am not made of metal; neither are my colleagues. We are human beings who get sick all the time because we are not heavenly. We go to hospital all the time…” he said.

The CS further claimed that the malicious post had brought distress upon his family and wanted the DCI to take action.

“I feel for my family. My innocent wife and children who have their own lives to live but they have to endure this kind of rumours. They are private citizens who have to pay a heavy price because one of them is in public service.

“I have told the DCI and the Inspector General of Police and they are trying to investigate. We hope that we shall get to the bottom of the situation,” he stated.