Nyeri blogger at centre of political storm charged with misusing Facebook

The 25-year-old blogger from Nyeri who was earlier arrested by police and released by court after it established that her arrest was erroneous and un-procedural was on Monday charged with posting annoying messages on Facebook, contrary to the law.

Ms Martha Wanjiru Miano is faced with four counts of going against the Kenya Information and Communications Act.

She is accused that on December 29, 2015 at unknown place she posted an annoying message alleging that Mathira water community had been hijacked by Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua using his brother Rigathi.

The post also read: “This bitter man procured and financed goons from Mathira, financed Gaki Ward MCA who is a member of GNU party which Gachagua chairs to stop the project.”

Ms Miano was also charged that on December 30, 2015 she posted a message alleging that Mr Rigathi Gachagua was out “to sabotage all development projects in Mathira.”

CAUSE ANNOYANCE

She is accused of posting the messages knowing them to be false and intended to cause annoyance to Rigathi Gachagua.

However, Ms Miano denied all the charges before Principal Magistrate Desderius Orimba.

Kiharu MP Irungu Kang’ata, who is representing her, asked to be supplied with all witness statements and any other evidence the prosecution intends to rely on in the case.

“The court should also take judicial notice that Ms Miano had been arrested and released by court. She is also not a flight risk as she has cooperated with the police since she was arrested,” Mr Kang’ata told the court.

Mr Kangata further said the charge his client is facing is a misdemeanour and asked the court to release her on a free bond.

The prosecution did not object to the bond terms.

The magistrate released her on a bond of Sh300,000 or a cash bail of Sh100,000.

The case will be mentioned on April 4, 2016 and be heard on May 9, 2016.