A social media user who posted a disturbing fake funeral photo of President William Ruto has landed in hot water after being arraigned in Milimani Court today on cybercrime charges.
Benson Malova Ashiko, the man behind the controversial post on X (formerly Twitter), sent shockwaves across the nation after sharing an image depicting a staged funeral for the Head of State, accompanied by the chilling caption: “My condolences to the First Family.”
Authorities swiftly tracked him down, leading to his arrest, and today, he was presented before the Milimani Court, where prosecutors cited concerns over national security and misuse of digital platforms. The prosecution requested his detention pending further investigations into his motives and possible links to a wider cyber misinformation network.
The court granted the request, ordering Ashiko to remain in custody until January 30, when the case will be mentioned. The arrest has sparked a heated debate on social media, with Kenyans divided—some calling for strict punishment to deter such reckless behavior, while others argue that the state is cracking down too harshly on online freedom of expression.
Cybercrime experts warn that such posts, especially involving high-profile individuals like the President, can have serious legal consequences. If found guilty, Ashiko could face heavy fines or even jail time under Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.
As the case unfolds, all eyes will be on the judiciary to determine whether this was an act of free speech gone too far or a serious cybercrime offense.
