David Morara Kebaso, a 28-year-old Kenyan lawyer and social media activist, appeared in court on Tuesday following his dramatic arrest in Nairobi, which ignited public anger and calls for his release.
Kebaso, known for his outspoken criticism of alleged government corruption and misuse of public funds, was arrested Monday evening by masked police officers, who seized his phones and laptop before detaining him.
With over 200,000 followers on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Kebaso has gained significant attention for his bold posts documenting stalled government projects and demanding transparency. His recent social media activity had targeted businessman David Langat and mentioned President William Ruto, which led to accusations of cyber-harassment by the state prosecutor.
Kebaso’s arrest comes just months after youth-led protests in June against proposed tax hikes, which resulted in over 50 deaths and several people missing. The demonstrations eventually forced President Ruto to abandon the tax legislation and reshuffle his cabinet.
The activist was taken from his office in the Kahawa Sukari area on the outskirts of Nairobi and spent a night in police custody before being charged. Several fellow activists and lawyers who attempted to visit him were met with tear gas at the Nairobi police headquarters. His arrest quickly sparked the trending hashtag #FreeMoraraKebaso, as Kenyans voiced their outrage online.
In court, the state charged Kebaso with cyber-harassment for allegedly spreading false information about Langat. However, his lawyers argued the charge was defective, asserting that the matter was a civil claim for defamation, not a criminal offense. The court granted him bail while reviewing the legality of the charge sheet.
Protests were held outside the court, with activists threatening to escalate their demonstrations. Amnesty International condemned the arrest, calling it a “blatant misuse of the criminal justice system” and urging for Kebaso’s unconditional release.
Kebaso, a father of two, has previously reported receiving threats and being followed by suspicious vehicles. Despite the risks, he remains committed to his activism, stating, “If I worry too much, I will not be able to continue my work.”
