Journalist Arrested Over Corruption Article Narrates Experience With DCI Officers

He voiced disappointment over how the matter was handled, alleging that influential politicians were abusing their power

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
May 2, 2025 - 20:47
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Journalist Arrested Over Corruption Article Narrates Experience With DCI Officers
Kenyan journalists with cameras during a past media event. /ARTICLE 19

Kitui-based blogger Emmanuel Maleve was on Friday, May 2, freed on a cash bail of Ksh 50,000 following his arrest and arraignment on cybercrime-related charges.

Narrating his experience following his arrest on Thursday, May 1, Maleve claimed he was apprehended by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) while at his workplace in a Kitui mall.

“I was in the mall where I work when DCI officers came and arrested me, asking me to cooperate. They took me to Kitui Police Station.

"When we got there, they told me the case was being handled by the Nairobi headquarters, so we had to travel there,” he said.

Emmanuel Maleve, a digital journalist working with Hopkin Media and TV. /CHANNEL 15 NEWS

He recounted that they arrived at the DCI headquarters on Kiambu Road at around 7 p.m., where he recorded a statement and was informed that the case revolved around alleged defamation of Kitui South Member of Parliament (MP), Rachael Nyamai.

Subsequently, he was transferred to Muthaiga Police Station, where he spent the night in custody. He was presented in court the following day, although the case did not proceed as scheduled.

“When we got to court, I don’t know what the DPP told them, but I was later told to return to Muthaiga because the case was not strong enough to proceed. I was then released on a Ksh 50,000 cash bail,” Maleve said.

He voiced disappointment over how the matter was handled, alleging that influential politicians were abusing their power. “What I can say is that politicians should not use their political powers to silence others,” he said.

Maleve also cast doubt on the validity of the complaint, stating that the MP from Kitui Constituency—reportedly behind the charges—had never reached out to him directly.

“The MP has never called me, and she is the complainant. When you hear about the embezzlement of CDF funds, you can tell who it's about,” he added.

He described the accusation as humiliating, maintaining that he was simply reporting the truth. Maleve further stated that the majority of his content is derived from publicly available information.

“I was so embarrassed that a sitting MP said I’m destroying her reputation when I’m only telling the people the truth. My focus is the Auditor General’s report. I go through it and sample from there,” he said.

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) earlier demanded that the DCI and Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, immediately investigate the circumstances that led to the arrest of the Kitui-based digital journalist.

MCK, in a statement on Friday, May 2, expressed deep concern over the arrest of Maleve, revealed to be an accredited journalist based in Kitui working with Hopkin Media and TV, contrary to some reports that claimed he was a blogger.

Media Council of Kenya (MCK) CEO, David Omwoyo speaking during an executive training on strategic media and communications for the Sasra Kenya Senior management on May 20, 2024. /MEDIA COUNCIL OF KENYA

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