The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is on the hunt for popular social media influencer Francis Gaitho, accusing him of breaching multiple cybercrime laws.
In a public notice issued on January 2, 2025, the DCI named Gaitho as a wanted individual for various criminal activities, including his alleged role in spreading false information online.
Gaitho, a vocal political commentator with a massive online following, has faced previous charges related to cybercrime.
He was accused of violating Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act by publishing misleading information.
His trial for these charges is still ongoing, with the most recent incident stemming from his failure to attend a court session on December 4, 2024.
This absence prompted the issuance of an arrest warrant by Milimani Law Courts.
In addition to his previous charges, Gaitho is under investigation for sharing personal details about a civil servant and publishing defamatory content against a senior government official.
The DCI alleges that his actions constitute cyber harassment, particularly after he disparaged a government leader in a recent post.
Multiple counts related to these offenses are reportedly under review by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The DCI is now urging the public to assist in locating Gaitho, calling for anyone with information to report to the nearest police station or anonymously contact their toll-free hotline at 0800 722 203.
Despite the mounting pressure, Gaitho has remained defiant.
He publicly announced plans to present himself at the DCI headquarters on January 7, 2025, claiming that his actions fall within the realm of free speech.
“I’m not a criminal. I’m not a murderer. I’m not a capital offender. I just tweet. Freedom of speech is a constitutional entitlement, and I exercise it to the best of my ability,” Gaitho asserted.
The case is reminiscent of his previous arrest on October 24, 2024, which ended without charges, but this time the DCI appears more determined.
