DCI Asks Kenyans For Help In Arresting Francis Gaitho

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is appealing to Kenyans to provide information that may lead to the arrest of Francis Ng’ang’a Gaitho, a controversial politician and social media influencer.

Declaring Gaitho a wanted man on Thursday, January 2, DCI revealed that he is being sought after for various criminal activities.

"The suspect had been charged with the offence of publishing false information in violation of Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act (Case No. CR E738/24). He absconded a court session on December 4, 2024, which resulted in the issuance of a Warrant of Arrest by the Milimani Law Courts," stated the DCI in part.

Gaitho was also revealed to be under investigation for sharing the personal information of a senior Public Officer and Publishing False Information Contrary to Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act against other Kenyan citizens.

Additionally, DCI revealed that he will face multiple counts of cyber harassment for a post in which the agency stated he disparaged senior government officials. 

"The above files are pending perusal and advice by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. If you have any information that may lead to the prompt arrest of the suspect, please call our toll-free hotline at 0800 722 203 anonymously or report to the nearest police station," added the DCI.

Gaitho was last arrested on July 17, 2024, and faced charges of false publications contrary to Section 22(1) of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act No. 5 of 2018, and Cyber Harassment Contrary to Section 27(1)(a) of the same Act.

The court, according to a statement from the Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), heard that on July 15, 2024, at approximately 14:00 hours, while at an unknown location, he intentionally published false information on social media with the intent that the data would be considered or acted as authentic.

"He is also alleged to have, on the same day and at the same time, published false information about one Jairus Onkundi Morwabe, knowing or having reason to know that such publication would cause Morwabe apprehension or fear of violence, as well as damage or loss to his property," the statement read in part.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki and was released on a cash bail of Ksh30,000.

The case was to be mentioned on August 1, 2024, for pre-trial. Gaitho presented himself to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) after police announced that they were looking for him. 

The police had intended to target him for arrest, but surprisingly, veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho was arrested on Wednesday before he was released with police claiming it was a case of mistaken identity, a matter disputed by various media stakeholders.

Francis Gaitho was in 2024 mentioned by the DCI for spreading misleading information regarding the identity of Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, the main suspect in the heinous Kware killings who was arrested but escaped from police custody.

In a press statement, DCI boss, Mohamed Amin denied social media reports that it was covering up key details in the ongoing investigations into the killings following the discovery of more than 10 bodies in a quarry in Mukuru Kwa Njenga.

The DCI has since reiterated that it is still searching for Khalusha and urged Kenyans to contact the agency anonymously or the police with information on his whereabouts.

On October 28, 2024, DCI revealed that a significant cash reward would be given to those who provide information on the whereabouts of the main suspect in the heinous Kware killings that sparked uproar across the nation in July.

Photo of Francis Gaitho. /FRANCIS GAITHO