Activist Mutema Kiama has thanked Kenyans for supporting him when he was locked up and he has said that he will keep his promise of fighting for Kenyans rights continually without being intimidated by the government.
Kiama took to Twitter and wrote, “I am back. Thank you Kenyans on Twitter for the solidarity and hashtags #ReleaseMutemi & #ReleaseKiama. Kenyans shall not relent! Kenyans won’t be gagged! Spread the word! Thanks for bailing me out together with activists arrested yesterday. #UnlockOurCountry #StopLoaningKenya.”
On Thursday, raised about Sh250,000 to help him pay his cash bail of Sh500,000.
A Nairobi court granted the anti-International Monetary Fund (IMF) loans crusader cash bail after it declined the prosecutor’s request to remand him for 14 days. The court stated that there were no compelling reasons to warrant Kiama’s detention.
A group called Defenders Coalition took to social media urging Kenyans contribute what they could towards raising the cash bail. The outcome was successful.
The group said, “Thank you Kenyans. We have received Sh235,390 towards Mutemi’s cash bail as at 6.30 pm this evening (Thursday). Defenders Coalition has facilitated the processing and release of Mutemi WaKiama. Thank you Kenyans, staff, legal team. The price of freedom of speech and expression is not Sh500,000. We must do more to protect these freedoms.”
Kiama was arrested over two posters warning the International Monetary Fund (IMF) against issuing further loans to Kenya, more directly to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.
The case was set for mention on April 20, 2021 and the activist was ordered by the court to avoid using his social media accounts and to report to the investigating officer daily
Allegedly, Kiama violated provisions of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act, including false publication.
According to police reports, preliminary investigations had shown that two Twitter handles which made the publication of the poster are linked to the activist.
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