Suspect detained over social media post claiming CS Matiangi is in ICU

On Monday, July 27, the court detained a suspect who posted false information about Interior CS Fred Matiangi.

33-year-old freelance journalist Isaac Kibet Yego was arraigned and charged in court after publishing a Facebook post claiming that CS Matiangi was in the ICU battling COVID-19.

Appearing before Magistrate Martha Mutuku, Kibet was detained for two days to allow police to do the investigations.

Kibet was also denied bail after the prosecutor opposed the suspect's interference with the Facebook accounts and the witnesses.

The suspect was arrested alongside 19-year-old Emanuel Kimutai Kosgei in Ngeria area, Uasin Gishu County, on Saturday.

The DCI says a laptop and two mobile phones used in publishing and disseminating the information were confiscated during the arrest.

DCI also condemned the crime 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.

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

He stated that due to the level of their exposure, he took three tests, which all came negative.

“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 Interior CS, however, claimed that the malicious rumors caused distress in his family and urged 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.