Author Arrested Over Charlene Ruto Book Sparks Free Speech Outcry in Kenya

A Kenyan author, Webster Ochora Elijah, has been arrested for publishing a book about Charlene Ruto — President William Ruto’s daughter — in a case that has ignited national debate over freedom of expression and political overreach.

The book, Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising, was reportedly published without Charlene’s consent. Authorities arrested Ochora on June 2 and charged him with identity theft under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act. He is currently being held at Muthaiga Police Station, and his laptop and other materials have been seized. Police say he will appear in court on June 3.

The charge has drawn criticism from legal experts and human rights advocates, who argue that applying cybercrime laws to a publishing case is unprecedented and signals an attempt to criminalize dissent.

Ochora, an established author known for writing about public figures such as Donald Trump and Raila Odinga, has maintained that the book was intended to profile Charlene’s public work, especially her youth engagement efforts. His legal team argues that the arrest is politically motivated and amounts to censorship.

“This isn’t just about one writer — it’s about whether Kenyans are still allowed to comment on public figures,” said senior advocate Evans Ondieki. “In a democracy, people must be free to write, critique, and reflect without fear of arrest.”

Kennedy Mong’are, representing Ochora’s family, said the book was a positive portrayal and meant as a tribute to Charlene’s work. “Instead of appreciation, he’s being punished. There’s nothing defamatory in what he wrote,” he said.

The case has sparked wider concern that the government is using state machinery to suppress voices seen as too inquisitive or critical. Investigators have reportedly widened the probe to include anyone who may have supported or funded the book — a move critics say further signals political interference.

Charlene Ruto has yet to make a public statement, but her visible role in youth initiatives and public life complicates the claim that her name cannot be used in commentary or literature. Legal analysts point out that public figures — especially those involved in advocacy or politics — are fair subjects for scrutiny, critique, and discussion.

“If every writer needs permission to publish about someone in public office or connected to it, then journalism, biography, and satire are dead in this country,” said a Nairobi-based legal expert.

As the court prepares to hear Ochora’s case, all eyes are on how the judiciary will respond. The outcome is expected to set a precedent on how far freedom of expression can go when it involves politically connected individuals.

For many, the arrest is about more than one book — it has become a litmus test for Kenya’s democratic space and the state’s tolerance for independent thought.