DCI Summons Four Bloggers Over Alleged Threats to Attack Gachagua
Security agencies in Embu County have summoned four local bloggers accused of issuing threats against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The bloggers reportedly made the threats online after Gachagua announced plans to visit the county for a political campaign tour.
Confirming the incident on Thursday, November 13, Embu County Commissioner Jack Obuo said that the bloggers were summoned by security agencies, including officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The four will be questioned to determine the meaning, intent, and context of their social media posts.
According to the commissioner, the threats were allegedly directed at the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader after he revealed his plan to campaign in Embu for Newton Kariuki, a candidate running for the Mbeere North parliamentary seat in the upcoming by-election.
“We cannot rush to prosecute anyone without understanding the full context of their statements,” Obuo said.
“Today, we have summoned those who made the remarks so that the DCI and police can assess the situation and decide whether to take legal action or continue with further investigations,” he added.
The summons come shortly after President William Ruto signed into law the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024, a new legislation aimed at tightening control over Kenya’s online activities.
The law seeks to regulate digital communication and curb cyber harassment, but it has also sparked controversy among the public and civil rights groups.
Under the new Act, any person who communicates in a way that could cause violence, property destruction, or any form of harm to another individual is subject to prosecution. Offenders may face a fine of up to Ksh20 million, a jail term of up to 10 years, or both.
However, many critics believe the law’s intentions go beyond fighting online crime. They argue that it could be used as a tool for political suppression, especially against those who criticize the government on social media.
The law, which was signed by the president on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, also gives the government broad powers to monitor and control digital platforms.
Authorities can block websites or mobile apps, delete online content, and even shut down digital platforms deemed to be spreading “harmful” information.
This move has drawn widespread criticism from Kenyans, journalists, and digital rights activists, who say it threatens freedom of speech and press freedom.
Many see it as a calculated attempt to silence online dissent, limit investigative reporting, and control narratives that expose political or social injustices.
Despite the government’s defense that the law will help curb cyberbullying, misinformation, and digital fraud, the public remains deeply skeptical.
Many Kenyans believe the timing of the new law and the summoning of the bloggers could signal a growing effort by authorities to intimidate critics and regulate political conversations happening online.
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