Political activist Nuru Okanga has been acquitted of all charges in a cybercrime case related to alleged threatening remarks against President William Ruto.
The ruling was delivered on Tuesday, January 20, by trial magistrate Rose Ndombi at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi.
The court found that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to support the charges under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.
Nuru Okanga Cleared of Three Charges in Ruto-Related Case. Photo: Courtesy.
Magistrate Ndombi noted that investigators did not provide proof linking Okanga to the controversial video at the centre of the case.
She cited the lack of digital forensic evidence, seized electronic devices, or search warrants that could have established his involvement in creating or sharing the content.
As a result, the court ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case on all three counts.
The case stemmed from claims that Okanga shared false, defamatory, and threatening content on social media.
Prosecutors alleged that he uploaded a video on TikTok and other platforms in which he made threatening remarks about President Ruto, allegedly encouraging the then DP to take violent action against the Head of State.
The court ruled that the prosecution’s case was based on suspicion rather than solid evidence, noting it failed to link Okanga to the video or prove it could incite violence.
Arresting officer Milton Mwanzi admitted he could not authenticate the video and lacked cybercrime expertise.
He also confirmed no court orders or search warrants were obtained, and no electronic devices were seized during Okanga’s arrest.
