Court defers plea taking of man in cyber harassment of magistrate 

A Kibera court has deferred the plea-taking of a man accused of cyber harassment over a message allegedly sent to a magistrate, directing that he be presented before the Milimani Law Courts for plea.

Francis Kamau Karanja appeared before the Kibera Law Courts after the prosecution applied for the case to be transferred to the Milimani Law Courts.

The prosecution said the application was necessary before Karanja could take plea in a charge of cyber harassment arising from a message allegedly sent on September 28, 2026.

According to the particulars of the offence, Karanja allegedly used a mobile number to send a message at about 7pm to another mobile number, registered in the name of Margaret Murage.

The prosecution alleges that the message was sent in connection with the case involving Gabriel Saka and accused Murage of being biased.

The message allegedly stated: “Greetings Hon: I have noted the great bias in the case of Gabriel Saka. It seems you have taken sides and we will not allow it. I will not stop at anything to ensure justice is done, be warned. Chunga kazi yako. Na ujichunge sana. Tunajua kwako.”

The prosecution alleges that the words were likely to cause apprehension or fear of violence to Murage.

Karanja faces a charge of cyber harassment contrary to Section 27(1)(a), as read with Section 27(2), of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.

The prosecution asked the Kibera court to defer plea-taking and transfer the file to the Milimani Law Courts, an application that was opposed by the defence.

In its ruling, the court said it was of the considered view that continuing to prosecute the matter at Kibera could lead to allegations of bias.

The court, however, ruled that any concerns regarding alleged violations of the accused person’s rights could be addressed once he takes plea.

Karanja was ordered to remain in custody and be presented before Milimani Court 1 on Thursday for plea-taking.