Man Charged Over Sending Threatening Message to Magistrate

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged a man with cyber harassment after he allegedly sent a threatening message to a magistrate over a case she was handling.

In a statement on Friday, October 9, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said the suspect, Francis Kamau Karanja, was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts. 

According to the ODPP, Karanja sent the alleged message to the magistrate on September 28, 2026, at around 7PM.

“The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged a man with cyber harassment for allegedly sending a threatening message to a magistrate over a case she was handling.

“Francis Kamau Karanja was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts, where the prosecution told the court that he sent the said message to the magistrate on 28th September 2026 at about 7pm using his phone,” read the statement in part. 

Karanja was apprehended after the magistrate reported the matter at Kibera Police Station.

The accused, who appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Irene Thamara, denied the charge.

The case is scheduled to be heard on October 9, 2026, when the court is expected to rule on Karanja’s bail application.

“The matter will be heard on 9th October 2026 when the court rules on the accused’s bail application,” ODPP added. 

This comes days after the DPP charged the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) of Lumakanda Police Station with defilement of a 14-year-old girl in Lugari, Kakamega County.

In a statement on Wednesday, September 30, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said the accused appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Dorcas Mac’andere, where prosecution counsel opposed his release on bail and bond.

The ODPP stated that the accused faces a charge of defilement.

"The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has today charged the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) of Lumakanda Police Station with defilement of a 14-year-old girl in Lugari Sub-County, Kakamega County," the statement read.

The accused also faces an alternative charge of committing an indecent act with a child, as well as a charge of abuse of a position of authority.

The prosecution told the court that the alleged offenses occurred over several days and involved a 14-year-old girl.

"Court heard that the alleged offenses are said to have occurred between 24th and 27th September 2026 and involve a 14-year-old girl," the statement added.

In opposing the bail and bond application, the prosecution submitted that the alleged offenses were serious in nature.

The court subsequently remanded the accused until October 1, 2026, pending determination of the bond terms.