Kenyan man arrested for spreading coronavirus fake news

A 23-year old man has been arrested by police in Kenya after he was found to be sharing fake news online about the coronavirus pandemic.

Elijah Muthui Kitonyo was detained by police in Mwingi town in eastern Kenya for claiming that the government gave misleading details on the first confirmed case of coronavirus in the country.

Using a fake Twitter account, he said a woman named Millicent Musau arrived in Kenya from Rome, not the United States via London, as the government had previously explained.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations confirmed the arrest via Twitter, adding he will be charged “for publishing false information that is calculated or results in panic”.

If found guilty he could face fines of up to US$50,000 or a prison term up to, but not exceeding, 10 years, or both.

Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya’s President, has previously warned against the dangers of spreading misinformation and fake news about the coronavirus.

Photo: SIMON MAINA / AFP