Webster Ochora: Young Author Arrested for Identity Theft after Writing Book on Charlene Ruto

Webster Ochora: Young Author Arrested for Identity Theft after Writing Book on Charlene Ruto

  • Webster Ochora was arrested for allegedly publishing a book titled Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising without authorisation
  • Police say Ochora was apprehended under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act for impersonation or using Charlene Ruto’s name and likeness without consent
  • Ochora’s lawyers, led by Evans Ondieki and Kennedy Mong’are, insist the arrest violates free speech and democratic expression
  • Charlene Ruto has not commented on the arrest, and it remains unclear whether she filed the complaint

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - A young author has found himself at the center of a storm after being arrested for allegedly using President William Ruto’s daughter’s identity in a self-published book that authorities say was unauthorised.

Charlene Ruto
Webster Ochora allegedly published a book titled Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising without consent. Photo: Charlene Ruto.
Source: Twitter

Webster Ochora Elijah, a graduate of Kisii University, is currently being held at Muthaiga Police Station under allegations of identity theft.

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Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested Ochora after linking him to the publication of a book titled Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising.

According to the police, the arrest was carried out under the provisions of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act.

Detectives allege that Ochora impersonated the first daughter or used her identity without consent through the book’s publication.

However, Ochora’s legal team is pushing back hard, and senior advocate Evans Ondieki, who visited him in custody, condemned the arrest, calling it an affront to Kenya’s democratic ideals.

"Webster Ochora, who was arrested on suspicion of having stolen Charlene Ruto's identity. It is normal. It is within the framework of freedom of speech for any Kenyan, particularly the young and unemployed Kenyans, to use those images for the purposes of communicating and freedom of speech," Ondieki stated.

Ochora’s family lawyer, Kennedy Mong’are, echoed the sentiment, calling the arrest premature and unjustified.

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"The young man detained here is a publisher, he, an author who has ordered so many books. Books for Donald Trump, books for Raila Odinga and was in the process of working for a positive work for Charlene Ruto. But it's unfortunate that without due process he is detained here," Mong’are said.
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Why are Ochora's lawyers confident in his case?

His defence team insisted that Ochora had no malicious intent and that writing about public figures, especially those who have willingly engaged in public life, is protected.

Webster Ochora
Ochora's lawyers insisted his rights were being infringed upon with the arrest. Photo: Webster Ochora.
Source: Facebook

He argued that public officials, especially those linked to political families, must be open to public scrutiny.

"Kenya is a democracy. If we are so sensitive that we are arresting our young men for being creative… yeah. So we urge our public officers, particularly the presidency to be fair to accommodate all sorts of criticism because that is the essence of democracy.
When you’re elected or associated with public office, you surrender about 50% of your right to privacy. You cannot be so thick-skinned that the use of your name or image becomes an offence," Ondieki added.

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Charlene has not publicly commented on the book or the arrest, and it remains unclear whether she filed a complaint.

Police have since seized Ochora’s laptop and digital devices for forensic analysis and are combing through them. As of now, the contents of Beyond the Name remain largely unknown to the public.

Why did Charlene lecture Kenyans

Elsewhere, Charlene urged Kenyans to stop blaming leaders and instead reflect on their role as followers.

In a May 30 post, she questioned whether citizens expect instant solutions to complex issues and challenged them to listen and contribute constructively.

Her remarks sparked mixed reactions online, with some applauding her perspective and others criticising the leadership she appeared to defend.

Despite the ruckus the statement caused, the president's daughter remained unapologetic.

This was not the first time she had caused public outrage. In the early months of President Ruto's leadership, Charlene courted controversy when she established the Office of the First Daughter to address youth issues and run charity programmes.

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Kenyans criticised the idea, forcing the president to clarify that it had nothing to do with his government's plans, but was Charlene's own initiative, borne out of excitement.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Authors:
Didacus Malowa avatar

Didacus Malowa (Political and current affairs editor) Didacus Malowa is a political and current affairs editor at TUKO.co.ke. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication and Media Technology with IT from Maseno University in 2021. He has over two years of experience in digital journalism. Email: didacus.malowa@tuko.co.ke

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