Antony Mwanzia Kimeu has been arraigned in court for allegedly sharing pirated digital copies of Kenyan newspapers on WhatsApp without authorisation from Nation Media Group.
Kimeu, an IT graduate from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology, is accused of circulating e-paper versions of Daily Nation, Business Daily, Taifa Leo and The EastAfrican, in what prosecutors say was a violation of the publisher’s copyrights.
Charges Under the Copyright Act
He appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena, where he denied all charges brought under Kenya’s Copyright Act.
The court heard that investigators traced the alleged distribution to a WhatsApp account linked to a Safaricom subscriber number.
According to the prosecution, Kimeu shared unauthorised digital copies on multiple dates between June 23 and July 10, 2025. He is also accused of offering the newspapers for sale during the same period without the consent of the copyright holder.
Prosecutors cited Sections 38(1)(b) and 38(1)(c), read together with Section 38(4) of the Copyright Act, to support the charges of unlawful distribution and commercial exploitation of protected works.
Bond Terms and Next Court Date
Kimeu pleaded not guilty and requested lenient bond terms.
The magistrate granted his release on a Sh500,000 bond or an alternative Sh200,000 cash bail as investigations continue.
The case is scheduled for mention on March 17.
