Kenya, April 23 -- A Milimani Magistrate Court has sentenced 22-year-old Titus Wekesa Sifuna to 10 years in prison or a KSh 5 million fine for impersonating President William Ruto on the social media platform X, under the username "I Must Go."

The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, follows Wekesa's arrest in Bungoma County for posting content that falsely suggested the president was preparing to resign due to public pressure.

Wekesa, a volunteer teacher based in Msambweni, Kwale County, was accused of using the X handle @Thief_5th to post messages and images that portrayed him as Kenya's fifth president, sparking widespread public backlash.

The prosecution argued that the posts violated Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act of 2018, constituting hate speech and posing a threat to national peace and cohesion.

Senior Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsaringo, in his ruling, ordered Wekesa's detention for three days at Capitol Hill Police Station to allow the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to complete their probe, instead of the seven days initially sought.

The DCI presented evidence linking Wekesa to the account through the National Identity Card used to register the SIM card operating the handle.

According to court documents, Wekesa's posts were deemed derogatory and disrespectful toward President Ruto and his family, with prosecutors highlighting their potential to incite ethnic tensions.

The DCI plans to conduct a forensic analysis of Wekesa's mobile phones, laptop, and hard drives and visit his residence in Msambweni to gather additional evidence.

Wekesa's lawyer, Kennedy Echesa, opposed the detention application, but the court upheld the prosecution's request for limited detention.

The case has drawn significant attention on X, with users expressing mixed sentiments. One post described the sentencing as "a sad day to be a Kenyan", reflecting the polarised public reaction.

The ruling underscores Kenya's increasing scrutiny of cybercrimes, particularly those involving impersonation and misinformation on social media platforms.

Wekesa's sentencing serves as a stern warning to others engaging in similar activities, as authorities intensify efforts to curb online offences.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.