University student charged with fraud using former governor Sonko’s name*
A University Student who allegedly created a Facebook account using former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to com unsuspecting Kenyans has been charged with cyber-squatting.
Tyson Kibet, a third-year student at Kabete National Polytechnic appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi and denied charges of Cyber Squatting contrary to section 28 of the Computer Misuse Act.
According to the charge sheet, Kibet created a Facebook account in the name of Mike Sonko without the authority of the said former County boss.
The prosecution said that on November 25, 2023 at unknown place within the republic of Kenya, intentionally he created the said Facebook account with an intent to defraud Kenyans using Mike Sonko’s credentials.
The prosecution pleaded with the court to either deny him bond or release him on very stringent bond terms.
The prosecution added that there is no document in court to show that he is a student or any thing to show he has exams.
Give bond terms relating to the offence.
However, his Lawyer objected to the submission by the prosecuting Counsel stating that the accused is a student and that he has ongoing exams tomorrow hence he ought to be released on very low bond terms.
“He is a victim of circumstances in this even his classmates have raised 50k through WhatsApp group to help in cash bail. Kindly grant him the amount to enable attend classes” Kibet told court.
In ruling, the Magistrate said that the accused was a young man and the he could be a student and that he could be having ongoing exams hence he deserved to be released on reasonable bond terms.
“I have listened to the submissions from both the prosecuting counsel and the defense. The accused person herein is a young man, he could be a student at the said college and he could be having ongoing exams”, the magistrate said.
She released Kibet on a cash bail of Sh200,000 or a bond of Sh1million.
The case will be mentioned on June 10.