Young author arrested over Charlene Ruto book in identity theft probe

A young author, Webster Ochora Elijah, is at the centre of a heated debate on freedom of expression following his arrest in connection with a book about Charlene Ruto.

He is accused of identity theft under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act, allegedly for using Charlene Ruto’s name without consent in his publication, Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising.

Ochora is being held at Muthaiga Police Station while forensic investigators examine his laptop.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is leading the probe and has not disclosed specific findings. He is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

His legal team argues that the arrest is politically driven and an attempt to silence critical voices. Outside Muthaiga Police Station, Senior Advocate Evans Ondeki strongly defended the author's actions.

"When you're elected or associated with public office," Ondeki said, "you surrender about 50% of your right to privacy. You cannot be so thick-skinned that the use of your name or image becomes an offense."

Ochora’s family and lawyers were also at the police station to protest what they described as an unlawful and unnecessary detention.

Lawyer Kennedy Mung’are, speaking on behalf of the family, described Ochora as a dedicated author unfairly targeted for his work.

"The young man detained here is a publisher, an author. He’s written books on Donald Trump and Raila Odinga. He was working on a positive piece about Charlene Ruto. It’s unfortunate that, without due process, he’s being held like this," Mung’are said.

Investigators are also focusing on the book’s funding and production, seeking to identify those involved.

However, Ochora’s lawyers maintain that no crime has been committed and that the arrest sets a dangerous precedent for creatives and writers in Kenya.

"Freedom of expression includes the right to use public images for commentary," Ondeki said.

"In a democracy like Kenya’s, young people must be allowed to express themselves creatively. Arresting them for that undermines our democratic values."

Ondeki further urged the authorities to immediately release Ochora and called on Charlene Ruto to accept public scrutiny as part of her status.

"We urge the police to release Webster Ochora," he said. "He has not committed an offense. And we also call on Charlene Ruto not to react so sensitively to criticism. As a public figure, she must learn to accommodate different views—that’s the essence of democracy."

Though the contents of the book remain unclear, the arrest has already fuelled public concern over the balance between cybercrime enforcement and freedom of expression in Kenya.