A Kibera Law Court has postponed the plea of a man accused of cyber harassment after the prosecution asked for the case to be moved to the Milimani Law Courts.
The prosecution requested that the plea be deferred and the case file transferred to Milimani, arguing that the matter should be handled there.
The defence opposed the application, asking the Kibera court to proceed with the case.
In its ruling, the Kibera court said it had considered the circumstances surrounding the case and found that proceeding with the matter at the court could create concerns about possible bias.
The court noted that allegations concerning the accused person's rights could be addressed once he appears before the appropriate court and takes plea.
The accused, Francis Kamau Karanja, was consequently ordered to remain in custody and appear before Milimani Court 1 on Thursday 8th OCtober, where he is expected to take plea.
Karanja is facing a charge of cyber harassment under Section 27(1)(a), read together with Section 27(2) of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.
According to the charge sheet, Karanja allegedly sent a message on September 28, 2026, to a mobile phone number registered in the name of Magistrate Margaret Murage.
Prosecutors allege that the message was connected to the magistrate's handling of a case involving Gabriel Saka.
The prosecution further claims that the contents of the message were capable of causing apprehension or fear of violence to the magistrate.
The allegations have not yet been tested in court, as Karanja is yet to enter a plea to the charge.
His transfer to Milimani means the next stage of the case will be handled before another court, where the accused will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations against him.
The defence had opposed the prosecution's request to move the matter, but the Kibera court ultimately allowed the transfer and deferred the plea.
The decision also leaves questions relating to the alleged violation of Karanja's rights to be addressed during subsequent proceedings at the Milimani Law Courts.
Karanja will remain in custody until Thursday when he is expected to appear before Milimani Court 1 for plea taking.
