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Francis Gaitho, a person of interest in the recent abduction case of veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho, has been charged with publishing false information and cyber harassment. The charges relate to the alleged Githurai and Rongai massacres and reports of missing persons.
Gaitho appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki, where he faced two counts of computer misuse.
The prosecution alleges that Francis Gaitho knowingly published false information with the intent to cause panic and fear among the public.
Additionally, he is accused of cyber harassment, which involves using online platforms to intimidate and harass individuals.
In court, Gaitho denied the charges, asserting that he did not engage in any illegal activities. His defense lawyer argued that the accusations were baseless and that Gaitho was being targeted unfairly. The defense further stated that Gaitho was merely exercising his right to free speech and that the information he published was based on sources he believed to be credible.
Despite the prosecution’s request for stricter bail conditions, Magistrate Ondieki granted Gaitho bail at Sh30,000.
The magistrate emphasized the importance of upholding the rights of the accused while also ensuring that justice is served. Gaitho was instructed to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation and to refrain from any actions that could be interpreted as interfering with investigation process.
The case has drawn significant public attention, given the recent concerns over media freedom and the safety of journalists in Kenya. Macharia Gaitho’s abduction, which remains under investigation, has raised alarms about the lengths to which individuals or groups may go to silence journalists and control the narrative in the media.
In other news Media freedom advocates have condemned the shooting of journalist Catherine Kariuki witness during Tuesday 16 July 2024 anti-Government demonstrations, arguing that the government should focus on protecting journalists and ensuring a free press rather than targeting individuals for the content they publish.
They stress that a robust and independent media is crucial for a functioning democracy and that efforts to suppress it are detrimental to society as a whole.
As the legal process unfolds, there is an ongoing debate between Government and Media fraternity about the balance between free speech and responsible journalism.
While it is crucial to address the spread of false information and development news, Government said it sense to not incite anarchy.
