A Nairobi court has released Webstar Ochora Elijah, accused of impersonating Charlene Ruto with intent to defraud people on a cash bail of Ksh50,000 and provide two contact persons.
Milimani Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, gave the 25-year-old man an alternative of paying a bond of Ksh100,000 with a surety of a similar amount.
Ochora’s legal team had urged the court to release him on a personal bond, promising to ensure he avails himself when needed for further interrogations during the investigations.
Further, they told the court that the accused is a young man who is still pursuing his studies, who is just innovative and has constitutional rights to criticise and express himself.
“Your honour, our Constitution allows critical thinking and critical expressions, so we kindly request the court to be lenient and release him on a free bond,” Ochora’s legal team submitted to court.
The DPP, led by lawyer Victor Owiti, did not object to his release on bail.
Ochora has pleaded not guilty to the charge of impersonating Charlene Ruto contrary to section 382(1) of the Penal Code.
According to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), on May 22, 2025, at an unknown place within the Republic of Kenya, the accused is said to have used the Zawadi Publishers trade name and published a book pretending to be Charlene Ruto.
“On or before May 22, 2025, while at unknown place within the Republic of Kenya, jointly with others not before the court while operating under the trade name Zawadi Publishers, with intent to defraud falsely represented yourself as Charlene Ruto by publishing a book entitled “Beyond the name Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising,” part of the charge sheet read.
The matter will be mentioned on June 17, 2025, for further directions.
