Controversial X figure Maverick Aoko was charged in Milimani Court on Monday for allegedly disseminating false information through her X social media account.
The charges against Aoko include not only the publication of misleading content but also cyber harassment and the fraudulent use of electronic data.
The charges concern an incident on August 3, during which she posted defamatory and threatening material targeting two individuals identified as ‘Amber Ray’ and ‘Jamal’.
According to court documents, Aoko “did this knowing it to be malicious, false and well-calculated to cause fear, panic and destroy the reputation and professional career and livelihood of one Beth Wambui Mbuitu.”
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi, Aoko was granted Sh100,000 bail.
The magistrate ruled that the phones and laptops seized during her arrest will remain as evidence and cannot be returned until forensic examinations are completed.
The release of these devices will be reconsidered in a subsequent court session.
The case is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on September 2, with further proceedings to determine the next steps in the legal process.
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Aoko was arrested and detained on Friday over inflammatory posts she made on her online platforms, sparking widespread calls for her release under the hashtag #FreeAoko.
Police reportedly stormed her house, seized her phones and laptop, and later took her to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for questioning.
The arrest followed numerous complaints filed against her posts, although details regarding the nature of these complaints remain unclear.
Her lawyer, Cliff Ombeta, initially reported that Aoko had been denied the opportunity to talk to her lawyer.
“They have finally allowed my colleague to see her. I have also spoken to her. Thanks, Ivy Ateko, for attending Aoko Otieno,” Ombeta said.