Man arrested over alleged ethnic incitement

William Owuor Ochieng', who operates a Facebook account under the name “William Jahome,” was arrested in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) over alleged online threats, incitement to violence and ethnic hostility.

According to the DCI, the suspect published a video calling on members of the Kikuyu community residing in the Rift Valley to leave the region ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In the alleged video, Ochieng is heard warning Kikuyu natives living in parts of the Rift Valley, including Uasin Gishu, Kericho and Bomet, to relocate to the Mount Kenya region.

He went on to claim that members of the Kalenjin community considered the Kikuyu their enemies.

"Wakikuyu Wale ambao wako Rift Valley mjipange mapema mwezi wa saba ipate kama mumerudi Mount Kenya, itakua mbaya. Wakale wanasema adui wao ni mkikuyu adui wao ni watu wa Mount Kenya," he said.

(The Kikuyus, those who are in Rift Valley, prepare yourselves. By July return to Mount Kenya, it will be bad. Kalenjins say that their enemies are Kikuyus, their enemies are the people of Mount Kenya)

He also alleged that some social media users had been paid by political leaders from the Rift Valley to spread messages supporting President William Ruto’s re-election bid.

"Kwa mtandao kuna wale ambao wamelipwa watume vitisho wakibeba mishale wanasema ati wakikuyu ndio adui. Hawa vijana wanakuja kwa mtandao kutishia watu na mishale. Ati wanasema raundi hii itakuwa noma kama William Samuel Ruto hatakuwa tutam," he said.

"Hawa wamelipwa na MPs kutoka huko Kalenjin. So nawaaambia wakikuyu wale ondokeni huko, 2027 ni kumoto."

(There are those online who have been paid to send threats carrying arrows and saying that Kikuyus are their enemies. These youths come online to threaten people with arrows. They say this round it will be tough if Ruto will not be a two-term president)

(They have been paid by MPs from Kalenjin, so I tell you Kikuyus to leave there 2027 is hot)

His remarks prompted a probe by detectives from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), working alongside the Operations Action Team at DCI Headquarters.

Ochieng' was subsequently taken to DCI Headquarters for further processing and remains in custody pending arraignment in court.

The arrest comes amid concerns over the potential use of online platforms to spread harmful messages and cause ethnic tensions as the country approaches the 2027 polls.

The DCI has cautioned against the misuse of digital platforms, warning that individuals who use social media to issue threats, incite violence or promote ethnic hostility would face legal action.