Two men have been arraigned in court following their arrest for allegedly distributing pirated digital copies of newspapers.
In a statement on Monday, August 25, the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) confirmed the arrests which resulted from a coordinated operation with Nation Media Group PLC and the National Police Service.
"In collaboration with Nation Media Group PLC and the National Police Service, we conducted a raid that led to the arrest of two individuals involved in the illegal distribution of digital newspapers," the statement read.
The suspects appeared before the Milimani Law Courts where they faced charges of copyright infringement.
According to KECOBO, the two were engaged in the unauthorized sharing of digital publications, an act that violates Kenya’s copyright laws.
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"The suspects were arraigned today at the Milimani Law Courts on charges of copyright infringement. The court granted each suspect a cash bail of Ksh100,000 or an alternative bond of Ksh500,000. The case remains pending before the court for further directions," the statement added.
KECOBO reminded the public of the legal consequences of such actions, warning that offenders risk arrest, prosecution or imprisonment
"The Copyright Act prohibits the unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or sharing of copyright protected works, including digital publications. Offenders risk arrest, prosecution, heavy fines, or imprisonment," the statement further read.
This comes barely a week after nine people were arrested on during a raid targeting unlicensed courier service providers in Eastleigh, as the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) intensified its crackdown on illegal postal operations.
The enforcement operation, conducted in collaboration with the National Police Service, nabbed suspects offering postal and courier services in violation of Section 49 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998.
During the operation, several firms were found operating without valid licenses, including Al-Safa Parcel Services, Falcon Fastforward Parcel Services, Turkana Parcel Services, Ramadhan Parcel, Skyway Centre, Sharks Solution Parcel Services, and Rahma Bus Services Limited.
"The suspects were held at the California Police Station and will be arraigned at the Makadara Law Courts," CA announced in a press statement.
The Authority has urged firms in postal and courier services to apply for the requisite licenses from CA offices in Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nyeri, and Mombasa.
The regulator also cautioned members of the public to seek parcel and courier services from licensed providers only to ensure secure and reliable delivery while supporting lawful and sustainable growth of the sector.
