A Milimani court has issued a warrant of arrest against prominent social media influencer and blogger Francis Gaitho after he failed to appear for the mention of his ongoing case. The arrest warrant was issued on July 30, 2025, by Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki following a formal request from the prosecution.
Gaitho is facing charges related to the publication of false information on his X (formerly Twitter) account. He is accused of making misleading claims concerning the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the high-profile Kware murders, which involved the gruesome discovery of multiple bodies of women in Nairobi’s Kware area.
According to the prosecution, on July 15, 2024, Gaitho posted statements alleging that the DCI had arrested the wrong suspect in the case. At the time, police had detained Collins Jumaisi, who reportedly confessed to the murders. However, Jumaisi later escaped from Gigiri Police Station and remains at large, further complicating the case.
Prosecutors argue that Gaitho’s online post was framed to appear as factual, potentially misleading the public and obstructing justice. The charge sheet indicates that Gaitho’s post could have compromised the ongoing investigation and damaged public trust in law enforcement.
In addition to the primary charge, Gaitho also faces a second count of publishing false information implicating an innocent person. The prosecution claims he either knew or should have known that his post could have exposed an individual to public harm or reputational damage.
Gaitho was initially arrested in July 2024 during the period of heightened national tension sparked by the Gen Z protests. He pleaded not guilty and was granted a cash bail of KSh30,000. However, his continued absence in court has prompted the judiciary to take more stringent measures.
The case has now been adjourned to July 14, 2025, with authorities instructed to enforce the warrant and ensure Gaitho appears in court.
This latest development highlights growing concerns over the misuse of social media platforms and the legal responsibilities of digital influencers in Kenya.
