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A Nairobi court has detained a Junior Secondary School JSS teacher until Friday when it will deliver the ruling on whether to release him on bond or not following the allegations of identity theft and personation.
Appearing before a Milimani senior principal magistrate Robinson Ondieki, Police Constable Peter Mwangi who is attached at Directorate of Criminal Investigations DCI Headquarters Operation Support Unit in Nairobi requested the court to grant him 7 days to hold Samwel Mogwasi Mainga to conclude Investigations and prefer relevant charges against him.
The officer told the court that he is investigating Mainga for the offense of Identity theft contrary to Section 29 of the computer misuse and cybercrime Act.
He is alleged to have opened a Facebook account in the name of June Ruto, daughter to the president of Kenya William Samoei Rut.
The suspect was arrested on April 9, 2025, in Mombasa county where it was disclosed before the court that he had escorted the JSS pupils to national sports competition in the county.
The officer prayed the court to give orders to hold the suspect to have ample time to retrieve some documents in relation with the said Facebook account,
“Your honour I also want to record statements from other remaining witnesses and to ensure the respondent does not flee the jurisdiction of the court since his place of abode is not known,” the officer urged the court.
The defence lawyer Danstan Omari vehemently opposed the application of detention by the prosecution citing that there are no compelling reasons to hold the suspect and his rights to liberty will be infringed,
“Holding the suspect for seven days its unreasonable considering the reasons given by the investigating officer,” Omari said.
The lawyer informed the court that the suspect is a Junior Secondary School Teacher in Nyamaira, Nyamira County and the averments that his place of abode is unknown does not have merit.
While examining the officer, he admitted to have the suspect’s phone which they intend to retrieve information from and asked whether they need the presence of the suspect during forensic analysis,
“The court is aware that you have the suspect’s phone in your custody for analysis. Do you need his presence during analysis?” Omari inquired.
The officer admitted he don’t need his presence during the process.
The lawyer further urged the court to release the teacher on lenient bond terms to get back to Mombasa county to attend the pupils participating in the sports competition.
The magistrate directed the suspect to be detained at Capitol Hill police station until tomorrow April 11, 2025, when he will deliver the ruling on whether to release him on bond
