A man who allegedly harassed a magistrate has been remanded in prison custody after a Milimani Court dismissed his bail plea.
Francis Kamau Karanja, the trial magistrate ruled that the prosecution presented compelling evidence bail and bond denial.
The court therefore directed Karanja to remain in prison custody until the case against him is heard and determined. Karanja has denied that he harassed a Kibera Law Court magistrate through a text message.
Karanja is charged with cyber harassment contrary to section 27(1)(a) as read with section 27(2) of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act (CAP) charge, which he pleaded not guilty to the alleged offence.
The charge sheet states the accused sent a text message to Magistrate Margaret Murage on September 28, 2026, at around 7pm, which, according to the prosecution, the words in the said message are likely to cause apprehension or fear of violence to the judicial officer.
"Greetings, Hon. MM. I have noted the great bias in the case of Gabriel Saka. It seems you have taken sides, and we will not allow it. I will not stop at anything to ensure justice is done, be warned. Chunga kazi yako. Na uchunge sana. Tunajua kwako,” the message sent to the judicial officer reads in part.
In denying the accused bail, Magistrate Irene Thamara on Friday, October 9, 2026, noted that the prosecution has proved beyond doubt that the accused should be denied bail and bond.
The prosecution had told the court that the alleged threats that the accused had sent to the magistrate had caused her to move from her residence and abandon using her motor vehicle for fear of her life after the accused had told her that they know her place of residence.
Magistrate Thamara has noted that even if the court were to limit access by the accused to the Kibera Law Court premises, the complainant would still not feel safe since there was possible access to her residence by the accused, who claimed to know her home.
“It is this court's finding: the prosecution has demonstrated that there are compelling reasons to deny the accused dates for bond. Accordingly, the accused is denied bail and bond. He shall remain on demand during the trial,” MsThamara ruled.
However, Ms Thamara stated that the matter shall be expedited and directed he be remanded at Nairobi Area Prison pending the hearing and determination of his case.
The matter will be mentioned on October 14, 2026, for pre-trial directions.
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