A young writer named Webster Ochora Elijah is now at the center of a serious investigation due to his creativity.
Authorities from Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested him recently, accusing him of identity theft under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act.
The arrest is linked to his involvement in a controversial book titled Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising.
Right now, Ochora is being held at Muthaiga Police Station, where forensic experts are carefully examining his laptop and other digital devices.
They are looking for any evidence related to the case. In the meantime, officials have announced that he is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
Apparently, he needed Charlene’s permission.
According to investigators, the main issue is that Ochora may have used Charlene Ruto’s identity without her permission.
However, his lawyers strongly disagree with these claims. They believe that the arrest is not really about the law, but instead about silencing free speech and punishing political expression.
While standing outside the police station, Senior Advocate Evans Ondeki, a member of Ochora’s legal team, spoke to reporters. He defended the young author and criticized the arrest.
“When someone holds or is connected to public office,” Ondeki explained, “they give up a significant portion of their privacy. They can’t claim that using their name or image in a book is a crime.”
Meanwhile, Ochora’s family and other lawyers gathered outside the station to support him. They described the arrest as unjust and harmful. Lawyer Kennedy Mung’are, who is representing the family, spoke emotionally about the young writer.
Killing dreams
“This young man is not a criminal,” Mung’are said. “He is a published author, who has already written books about well-known global and local leaders like Donald Trump and Raila Odinga“.
“He was actually writing something positive about Charlene Ruto. But instead of encouraging his creativity, they arrested him without following the right procedures.”
At the same time, DCI investigators have turned their attention to the book’s publication. They are now trying to find out who helped fund, publish, and distribute it. But Ochora’s legal team insists that no crime was committed at all.
“Using public images for comment or opinion is part of free speech,” Ondeki argued. “In a democratic country like Kenya, young people should be free to express their thoughts—especially when those thoughts are about politics or leadership. Arresting them for doing so sends a dangerous message.”
See also Mount Etna
Malala Safe From Arrest – For Now, Says Court
He also warned that criminalizing creative work only discourages open conversation and hurts democracy on citizens.
“We are asking the police to let Webster go,” Ondeki continued. “He has not broken any law. And we are also asking Charlene Ruto to be more open to public discussion. Public figures must learn to handle criticism. That’s how democracy works.”
So far, the police have not shared details about what exactly is written in the book. They have remained quiet about the contents of Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising.
Heated debates
However, the case has already attracted a lot of attention from the public. It has sparked heated debates across Kenya, especially about freedom of expression, the rights of writers, and the limits of cybercrime laws.
Many people are now watching closely to see what happens next. Will the court support the charges? Or will the case become an example of how the law is being used to suppress creative voices?
Only time will tell, but for now, Webster Ochora remains in custody, and the battle over words, identity, and freedom continues.
