Man Arrested For Impersonating Charlene Ruto In Book Released
Ochora was on Tuesday, June 3, arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts over claims that he impersonated Charlene, President William Ruto’s daughter, in a fake book publication scam.
Marvin Chege 
Webster Ochora Elijah, the individual charged with publishing a book about Charlene Ruto, has been granted release on a cash bail of Ksh 50,000.
Ochora was on Tuesday, June 3, arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts over claims that he impersonated Charlene, President William Ruto’s daughter, in a fake book publication scam.
He faced charges of personation, with prosecutors telling the court he falsely claimed to be Charlene Ruto in an effort to deceive the public. The charge sheet stated that the alleged offence took place on or before May 22, 2025.
Webster Ochora Elijah, the individual charged with publishing a book about Charlene Ruto, arraigned at Milimani Law Courts on June 3, 2025. /CITIZEN DIGITAL
“On or before 22nd May 2025 while at unknown place within the Republic of Kenya, jointly with another not before court while operating under the trade name Zawadi Publishers, with intent to defraud falsely represented himself as Charlene Ruto by publishing a book entitled "Beyond the Name Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising",” reads the charge sheet.
Ochora denied the charges and was granted the cash bail pending further mention of the case. He was arrested on June 2 after detectives alleged he wrote and published a book about Charlene Ruto, titled Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising, without her permission.
Following his arrest, he was detained at Muthaiga Police Station and also accused of breaching the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act.
As part of the investigation, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confiscated his laptop. Authorities also launched a probe into the individual suspected of financing and supporting the book’s production.
Charlene later clarified that she reported Ochora to the DCI because he failed to obtain her consent before releasing the book. Speaking on June 3 at Wareng High School, she urged young people to pursue opportunities through the right channels.
"He didn't get my permission before writing that book. We have a culture in this country where we misuse people's names and get away with it. It is not right, and that is not what I stand for," Charlene said.
Charlene stated that she intends to write her book when the time is right and criticised Ochora's actions as inappropriate. She emphasised that her concern wasn’t with the book’s content, but rather the lack of mutual respect in society.
"No one will write your book for you, so write it for yourself when you are ready. I just didn't like that someone misused my name. It is about respecting each other and consulting," she added.
Meanwhile, the family’s lawyer, Kennedy Mong’are, argued that the arrest was unnecessary. He described Ochora as a well-known author and publisher who has previously written books about prominent figures like former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Charlene Ruto speaking during the launch of the Taita Taveta Students Association (TTSA) Annual Plan at Taita Taveta National Polytechnic on March 17, 2024. /CHARLENE RUTO
