Detectives on Monday arraigned Harrison Nyende Mumia at the Milimani Law Courts on charges of publishing false information under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.
Prosecutors allege that Mumia, who's the President of the Atheists In Kenya Society, used a pseudonymous Facebook account to post false content against state leadership. He denied the charges and was released on bond as investigations continue.
Detectives told the court that the offence was committed on December 30, 2025, when Mumia, while using his “pseudo Facebook Account under the name, Robinson Kipruto Ngetich,” allegedly “knowingly published false information against state leadership.”
The charges place renewed focus on the enforcement of Kenya’s cybercrime laws, particularly those governing the publication of information online and the use of social media platforms.
Prosecutors said the suspect’s online activity formed the basis of the criminal case, which was presented before the court as four separate counts of false publication.
During the arrest, law enforcement officers searched the suspect’s residence along Kangundo Road, where several items were seized as part of the investigation.
According to detectives, the items confiscated included two company stamps, belonging to Dovty Digital Technologies and the Atheists in Kenya Society, as well as an HP EliteBook X360 laptop and a Redmi smartphone, among other items.
Investigators indicated that the recovered electronic devices and documents were relevant to the allegations and would be subjected to further forensic examination as the case proceeds.
The seizure formed part of a routine investigative procedures in cybercrime-related cases.
When Mumia appeared before the Milimani Law Courts, he faced four counts related to the alleged publication of false information. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The court considered submissions on bond and bail and subsequently released the suspect on stringent terms.
Mumia was granted a bond of Sh1 million, with the requirement of one contact person, or, as an alternative, a cash bail of Sh500,000, with two contact persons. In addition, the court ordered him to deposit his passport with the court as part of the conditions for his release.
The conditions imposed by the court are intended to ensure the accused remains available for trial while investigations and pre-trial processes continue.
The requirement to surrender travel documents is commonly applied in cases where courts deem it necessary to mitigate the risk of flight.
The prosecution indicated that the case will return to court for further directions, with the matter scheduled for mention on January 19, 2026.
At that stage, the court is expected to confirm compliance with bond terms and issue timelines for the next steps in the proceedings.
The case has drawn attention because of the suspect’s public profile as president of the Atheist Society of Kenya, as well as the use of a pseudonymous social media account in the alleged offence.
Authorities maintain that the charges relate strictly to the publication of false information as defined under the law, and not to personal beliefs or affiliations.
Section 22(1) of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act criminalises the intentional publication of false, misleading, or fictitious information that is calculated to cause panic, chaos, or violence, or that may damage the reputation of a person. Convictions under the Act can attract heavy fines or imprisonment.
As the case moves forward, the court will determine whether the evidence presented by the prosecution meets the legal threshold required to sustain the charges. For now, Mumia remains out on bond, awaiting the next court appearance later this month.
