The chairperson of Atheists in Kenya, Harrison Nyende Mumia, has been arraigned in court over allegations of publishing false and misleading images of President William Ruto on social media platforms.
Mumia was charged with multiple counts under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018, after prosecutors accused him of circulating doctored images falsely suggesting that the Head of State was critically ill or deceased.
Charges and Bail Terms
According to court records, the alleged offence occurred on December 30, 2025, at an undisclosed location within Kenya.
The prosecution claims that Mumia knowingly published the misleading content on Facebook and Instagram, despite being fully aware that the images were false.
He was released on cash bail of KSh 500,000 pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Alleged Use of Fake Social Media Accounts
Court documents indicate that Mumia allegedly operated a Facebook account under the name “Robinson Kipruto Ngetich”, through which he shared images depicting President Ruto lying on a bed and implying that he was either critically ill or dead.
Additional charges relate to similar posts allegedly published on Instagram via the account @harrisonmumia, which also featured images portraying the President on what appeared to be a hospital bed.
Prosecutors argue that the images were manipulated to mislead the public, creating false impressions about the President’s health.
Legal Basis of the Charges
The state maintains that Mumia’s actions amounted to the intentional dissemination of false information, an offence punishable under Section 22(1) of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act No. 5 of 2018.
The law criminalises the publication of false, misleading, or fictitious information that is likely to cause panic, public disorder, or harm to the reputation of an individual.
Case to Be Mentioned for Further Directions
The matter will be mentioned on a later date for further directions, as investigations and prosecution proceed.
The case comes amid growing concerns over misinformation on social media and increased enforcement of cybercrime laws by Kenyan authorities.
