Social Blogger Alai arrested in Kenya

Police Spokesman Kiraithe

By Vinenct Ouma

Kenyan Police on Tuesday,August 21  arrested  social media blogger Robert Alai whom they called for  questioning over alleged abuse of the Kenya Information and Communication Act.

Provincial Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office in Nairobi had earlier said that they had received a complaint from government spokesman Alfred Mutua and Communication Commission of Kenya that Alai has been abusing sections of the Act forcing them to summon him.

He is expected in court on Wednesday to face charges of abusing the Act.

Regional CID boss Nicholas Kamwende had said that  he wanted  Alai to report to his office as soon as possible to clarify some issues he has been highlighting on social media twitter and other channels.

“ He has violated sections 26, 29 and 30 of the Act and we feel he should come and tell us more,” said Kamwende on phone.

The police boss said they would take further action if the blogger fails to honor their summons.

Government spokesman Dr. Mutua who is a former Journalist according to Police sources recorded a statement at the CID offices saying the blogger had been peddling rumors on the social media linking him to the killings of human rights activists Oscar Kingara and Paul Oulu.

The two met their death when assailants waylaid them along State House Road in the city in 2008 and no one has been arrested since then.

Efforts to reach Alai to confirm whether he has received the Police summons were futile as his mobile phone number we were given was silent throughout the morning of Sunday, August 19.

Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said police are now monitoring abuses of social media and warned against the practice saying those found will face the law.

Kenya is keen to ensure that the media acts in a responsible manner as the country nears the General election to be held in M arch next year and has indicated that some social media sites not Peace Forum Journal have the tendency of spreading rumors and propaganda.