Activist Edwin Mutemi wa Kiama was on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts.
He was arrested at around 3:00pm on Tuesday, April 6 for alleged cyber security violations.
Reports indicate that he was allegedly arrested for sharing graphic images on his social media platforms warning the world against issuing loans to Kenya.
The poster have images of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto followed by a message warning international lenders against issuing loans to Kenya.
The alleged poster Mutemi wa Kiama shared online on April 6, 2021. |Courtesy| Twitter|
For a better part of the week, Kenyans have taken to social media to air their displeasure regarding the recent Ksh257 billion loan Kenya acquired from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
#StopLoaningKenya has been among the leading trending topics on Twitter in Kenya for the past week.
Following his arrest netizens have demanded for his immediate release citing that it is not a crime to air out ones views.
Activist Boniface Mwangi is among those who have weighed in on Kiama's arrest, calling for his release.
"Activist Edwin Kiama was arrested last evening. He's being taken to court this morning on cyber crime offences. The police are accusing him of making the below public notice asking the world to stop lending money to Kenya. The money Uhuruto borrows is stolen," Mwangi stated.
Kenyans argued that the police are being used to intimidate citizens standing up to the pressing issues in the country.
A section argued that the same energy employed in arresting the activist be directed towards curbing corruption in the country.
"Police will arrest you for creating a poster with the President's image asking lenders not to give him money, but they'll not do anything about the billions stolen by Covid-19 millionaires. Africa has a long way to go. Tulirogwa na nani?" Nahashon Kimemia posed.
