10 bloggers to be grilled over Internet posts

Kenya: Siaya Senator James Orengo will Wednesday lead a group of lawyers in representing bloggers wanted by police over various alleged crimes.

The bloggers have all been summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for grilling for allegedly misusing licensed telecommunication gadgets under Section 29 of the Information and Communication Act.

They include Robert Alai, Cyprian Nyakundi, Patrick Msafari, Seth Odongo, Charles Dienya, Anthony Mburu, Eddy Illah, Phelix G-Cord, George Nyongesa and Yassin Juma.

Mr Juma was yesterday released without charge. They are all expected at DCI headquarters tomorrow for grilling.

This was after the bloggers posted various information that was deemed to be provocative and criminal on their blogs.

Mr Alai, who had presented himself yesterday at the DCI headquarters, said the investigation officer John Kariuki directed that he appear tomorrow for further questioning. 

"We agreed to reappear at the DCI headquarters on Wednesday for further grilling and Mr Orengo will lead other lawyers in representing us. We feel we are being harassed for no reason," said Alai.

Some of the bloggers were summoned while others were arrested for their alleged crimes.

Concerns have been raised over the growing arrest and detention of bloggers perceived to be "critical" of the Government.

But police said the targeted individuals had flouted the law by posting provocative pictures.

"We have complaints and that is why we are investigating them. No one is targeting them wrongly," said Mr Kariuki.

Mr Juma had posted on his social media information on the El Adde Kenya Defence Forces camp attack in Somalia. He was arrested on Saturday night and was released yesterday.