Court orders Arrest of Blogger over failure to appear

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A Nairobi court has issued a warrant of arrest against blogger Kitovoto Mutinda after he failed to appear for a scheduled hearing in a case filed by Mwingi Central MP Gideon Mulyungi.

Mutinda is facing nine counts of publishing false information against the legislator, contrary to Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act No. 5 of 2018.

The matter, which was set for hearing on Monday, March 23, 2026, before Milimani Principal Magistrate Rose Ndombi, could not proceed after both the accused and his lawyer failed to attend court.

Mwingi Central MP Gideon Mulyungi previously before Milimani Law Court

The case had previously been adjourned after the defence informed the court that Mutinda was unwell and unable to appear.

During the latest session, the complainant successfully applied for the issuance of a warrant of arrest, noting the accused’s absence and alleging that he had continued to publish information against him despite the matter being active in court.

The court granted the application, forfeited Mutinda’s cash bail, and issued a warrant for his arrest.

In addition, Magistrate Ndombi barred the blogger from publishing any information considered false or injurious to the complainant pending the hearing and determination of the case.

“Therefore, to preserve the integrity of the proceedings, the accused is hereby restrained from publishing any information relating to any subject in this case that is alleged to be false and injurious to the complainant pending the hearing and determination of this case,” the court ruled.

According to the charge sheet, Mutinda is accused of intentionally publishing false information on August 9, 2024, through a write-up associated with Kinuko 96.5 FM, which was shared in the Kitui Leaders’ Council WhatsApp group with the intent that it be acted upon as authentic.

He is also alleged to have circulated the same content across multiple WhatsApp platforms, including the Kitui Professional Forum, the proposed Mwingi Municipality group, the Kitui DG platform, the United People of Mwingi group, and the Mwingi Political Forum.

The case is expected to proceed once the accused is apprehended and presented before the court.

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