Titus, Wekesa Sifuna, a social media user operating under the handle ‘I Must Go’ on X has been arrested and is now facing prosecution for sharing derogatory and offensive statements targeting President William Ruto on the platform.
The arrest was carried out by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), who cited multiple posts that allegedly violated the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, particularly sections relating to cyber harassment, false publication, and incitement.
Based on his X account, Titus impersonated President Ruto by using his photograph as a profile picture and adopting a username suggestive of the president’s resignation.
The nature of the posts includes satirical or mocking commentary directed at the presidency and state policies. Some content reportedly used hashtags like #RutoMustGo and #CostOfLiving, reflecting public dissent.
The DCI notes that such posts could incite public unrest and discredit the reputation of the presidency, which is considered a symbol of national unity. ?”We must hold individuals accountable for content that borders on hate, abuse, and targeted harassment even in digital spaces. Freedom of expression does not permit digital defamation or incitement.”
Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act (2018) has increasingly been used to prosecute cases of online misconduct. Sections of the law provide for penalties ranging from heavy fines to imprisonment for individuals found guilty of publishing false information, threatening public safety, or engaging in cyber harassment.
If convicted, ‘I Must Go’ could face a fine of up to KES 5 million, or imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
In reaction to the arrest, one X user said, “If you can’t handle criticism, you shouldn’t be in power. Democracy requires uncomfortable conversations.”
Legal experts say the outcome of the case could set a precedent for how far the state can go in policing online content, and what constitutes legitimate critique versus unlawful harassment.