Blogger Maverick Aoko Faces Charges at Milimani Law Courts Over Explosive Tweets
Key takeaways
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- Maverick Aoko was arrested at her residence on Friday morning by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers.
- The influential tweep was arrested over reportedly offensive tweets she posted on the popular social network X.
- Aoko allegedly attacked members of the first family and other government officials with claims of infidelity, favoritism, and other accusations.
- After more than 48 hours in police custody, Ms. Aoko arrived at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi and was charged under the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act.
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The government cracks down on leading female blogger Aoko Otieno
Top blogger Maverick Aoko is fighting off defamation charges following her recent Twitter outburst against top political figures in Kenya.
Born Scophine Atieno, the prolific journalist came under government scrutiny after publishing tweets that offended Defense Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya.
In her now-deleted tweets, the blogger alleged that Ms. Tuya receives undue favor from the president because of their reportedly close relationship.
Her tweets also included other shocking allegations against the first family.
The unrepentant Aoko also targeted newly appointed Cabinet Secretaries, criticizing their integrity and questioning their capabilities.
Her tweeting spree compelled the DCI to swing into action, with their convoy pulling up at her house Friday morning.
The detectives were acting on an earlier search warrant that had been granted by the court on 7th August.
Top bloggers come to Aoko’s defense
News of Aoko’s arrest was broken by her aide who assumed control of her Twitter (X) account shortly after her arrest.
According to the aide, Ms Atieno was arrested by a contingent of 100 masked officers. The officers reportedly ransacked her house in an absolute show of might.
“They sent 100 masked DCIs to arrest Aoko, found her in bed, and harassed her badly, she’s currently losing her pregnancy. Interrogated her on her tweets about Soipan and First Family for hours. Put her in a cell for three days,” wrote Aoki’s assistant on X.
Aoko also momentarily went missing at the Muthaiga Police Station where she was held, before being spotted at Milimani Law Courts shortly after.
Top Kenyan bloggers led by Cyprian Nyakundi have come out in Aoko’s defense, insisting that her freedom of speech is being infringed.
“As bloggers, we’ve always followed an unwritten rule that if one of us has their freedom of speech threatened, we should speak up, even if we don’t agree with their views'” read Nyakundi’s tweet in part.
Popular activist Hanifa Adan also visited the blogger at the Muthaiga police station hours before she was arraigned in court.
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