Wamuzi News KeIn a dramatic legal development, Suleiman Wanjau Bilali and Robert Otiti Elwak were arraigned today at Milimani Law Courts on charges of inciting the public by circulating a detailed timetable for the June 25 Gen Z protests on social media. The arrests mark the first judicial actions connected to online mobilization that preceded the deadly demonstrations, authorities say.
The two men were detained on June 25 in Muthurwa and Kayole and face allegations of publishing false, inflammatory material via the X account “@daguindd (Daguin Dd).” In an affidavit filed by DCI Sergeant Samuel Itegi, prosecutors contend that the defendants “directed the public to storm State House,” and orchestrated looting, assaults on civilians, and attacks on government facilities timed with the street protests.
Prosecution: a Well‑Funded Chaos Campaign
DCI investigators described the operation as part of a broader, well-funded network aimed at destabilizing national security through digital tools. They are now conducting forensic analysis on the suspects’ devices and scrutinizing their M-Pesa and bank transactions—all while interviewing multiple witnesses.
Defense: No Hard Evidence, Alleged Rights Abuse
The defense, led by legislator and lawyer Babu Owino, has argued that Bilali and Elwak are being scapegoated for an account authored by an unknown individual, “Diangui.” Owino claims the men were held beyond the constitutionally permitted 24 hours without bail, and insists no solid evidence links them to the X account.
He has filed a habeas corpus petition demanding that the actual account operator be produced “alive or dead,” dismissing the case as built on innuendo and asserting their fundamental rights have been violated.
Court Proceedings and National Significance
The court approved an additional ten-day custodial remand to allow authorities to complete their investigation. A ruling on the habeas corpus petition and the remand request will be delivered on Friday.
This dramatic court action follows a wave of June 25 protests that saw at least 16 fatalities and hundreds injured when tens of thousands of Gen Z protesters demanded justice for the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody. Demonstrators also commemorated last year’s storming of parliament, where more than 60 people lost their lives.
Government officials have characterized these protests as orchestrated attacks rooted in disinformation, and the arrests signal a more aggressive posture toward online organizers ahead of future demonstrations.
What to Watch
- Will forensic and financial evidence link Bilali or Elwak definitively to the “@daguindd” account?
- Will the habeas corpus petition succeed and result in their release or a formal charge sheet?
- Will this legal precedent curb future online calls for protests—or will it fuel deeper free speech debates?
