The Kenyan government has established a dedicated unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to monitor threats directed towards Kenyan bloggers.
Kithure Kindiki, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary of Interior, told senators that the country’s police are investigating reports of cyberbullying and physical assaults against people who voiced opinions different from the government’s. “Bloggers exercising their freedom of speech through cyberspace” are the intended beneficiaries of the government’s action.
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Ongoing investigation on cyber security threats
Several cases involving gangs are currently under investigation by DCI detectives in 19 counties, according to the CS. During his address to the Kenyan Senate, Kindiki discussed the assassination of Daniel Muthiani Bernard, better known as Sniper, a blogger based in Meru.
December 2, 2023, was the date of Sniper’s abduction. Nearby Tharaka Nithi county, on the banks of the Mutonga River, his corpse was discovered two weeks later, on December 16th. On December 22, Dr Johansen Oduor, a government pathologist, conducted a postmortem and found that Muthiani had been tortured to death.
The death of Muthiani was allegedly connected to his alleged criticism of Kawira Mwangaza, the governor of Meru. Tabitha Mutinda, a senator-in-waiting, questioned the CS on the same matter, saying that the killer had a clear goal in mind: to silence those who criticised Governor Kawira.
Kindiki said that even though the case is complex, they have a “water-tight” procedure in place and that everyone responsible will face the consequences of their actions. Despite his admission that this is a complex crime involving more than five persons, he said that authorities have not yet found sufficient direct or circumstantial evidence to press further charges against anybody else.
Among the five individuals apprehended and brought before the court is an associate of Governor Mwangaza, Mr Murangiri Kenneth Guantai. Along with them are Vincent Muriithi, Chris (Christus Manyara Kiambi), Brian Mwenda (Brayo), and Dj Kaboom (Bonface Kithinji Njiiyia).
The case is scheduled to resume on May 24th this year and was last mentioned on April 23rd. While the family awaits the course of justice, the blogger has not been laid to rest.
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The work Kenya still needs to do
Not long ago, nations all over the globe celebrated World Press Freedom Day. With a score of 53.22, Kenya currently occupies the 102nd spot out of 180 nations. While this is an improvement over 2023’s score of 51.15, press freedom remains a concern in the nation.
The senseless killings of Peris Mugera and the Meru-based “Sniper” highlight the grave dangers faced by bloggers who voice differing opinions, particularly on political matters.
The government appears to be making a new effort to safeguard the Fourth Estate. The new special unit will target members of criminal gangs who threaten or physically harm individuals for voicing differing viewpoints online. According to the CS, investigators are looking into multiple cases across 19 counties.