Two individuals were arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on Thursday over allegations of spreading inciteful content related to the June 25 anti-government protests. The suspects, identified as Suleiman Wanjau Bilali and Robert Otiti Elwak, are accused of circulating a protest timetable that went viral on social media, allegedly mobilising people to engage in violent demonstrations.
According to an affidavit submitted by investigators, the suspects were arrested on June 25 in Muthurwa and Kayole, respectively. Authorities believe they are connected to the social media account @daguindd on platform X, formerly known as Twitter, which is said to have been instrumental in rallying protesters and encouraging them to storm protected government facilities, including State House.
The prosecution claims that the online campaign was part of a coordinated and well-financed plan to infiltrate the Gen Z-led demonstrations and undermine national security. The protests, which spread across Nairobi and other urban centres, resulted in looted property, multiple injuries among police officers, and loss of lives. Intelligence reports allegedly connect the suspects to a wider network orchestrating the unrest.
Investigators from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are seeking to detain the suspects for an additional 10 days. They cite the need to conduct a forensic analysis of mobile phones recovered during the arrests, access financial and M-Pesa transaction records, and gather further witness statements. The investigation has been described as complex, involving other individuals still at large.
The defence, however, has strongly opposed the request for extended detention. Representing the suspects, lawyer and legislator Babu Owino argued that there is no concrete evidence linking his clients to the social media account in question. He stated that the real account holder remains unidentified and suggested that the suspects were being used as scapegoats.
The defence also criticised the DCI for holding the suspects beyond the constitutionally permitted 24-hour period without bail. It was claimed that one of the arresting officers was not even aware of the specific charges at the time of the arrest. As part of the legal challenge, a habeas corpus petition has been filed at the High Court, demanding that the true owner of the social media account be produced in court.
A ruling on the request for continued detention is expected on Friday.
