The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has declared social media influencer and former Thika parliamentary aspirant Francis Gaitho a wanted man.
Gaitho is being sought in connection with multiple criminal activities, including cyber harassment and publishing false information.
In a statement dated January 2, 2025, the DCI confirmed that Gaitho is accused of violating Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act by publishing false information and sharing personal details of a senior public officer.
“The suspect had been charged with the offence of publishing false information in violation of Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act (Case No. CR E738/24),” read part of the DCI statement.
Gaitho is also under investigation for slandering senior government officials on social media. The DCI alleges that his actions caused significant distress and reputational damage to his targets.
The influencer further compounded his legal troubles by failing to appear in court on December 4, 2024. Following his absence, the Milimani Law Courts issued a warrant for his arrest.
“Additionally, the suspect will face multiple counts of cyber harassment for a post in which he disparaged senior government officials,” the statement added.
The case files are currently under review by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for further action.
Earlier Arrest
This is not Gaitho’s first brush with the law. In July 2024, he was charged with false publications and cyber harassment after allegedly posting false information about private citizen Jairus Onkundi Morwabe.
The ODPP accused Gaitho of knowingly spreading false information with the intent to harm Morwabe’s reputation and cause apprehension or fear of violence.
Gaitho pleaded not guilty to the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki and was released on a cash bail of Ksh30,000.
DCI’s Warning
The DCI has called on Gaitho to present himself to authorities immediately, warning that failure to do so will result in intensified efforts to apprehend him.
The agency has reiterated its commitment to holding individuals accountable for cyber-related crimes, which continue to rise with the growing influence of digital platforms.
