A businessman accused of sending a threatening text message to a Kibera Law Courts magistrate is expected to appear before the Milimani Law Courts on Thursday, October 8, 2026, to take plea. Francis Kamau Karanja was on Wednesday presented before Kibera Law Courts Magistrate Victor Wakumile, where he faced a charge of cyber harassment relating to an alleged threatening message sent to a judicial officer.
The prosecution applied for the matter to be transferred to Milimani Law Courts, arguing that the complainant is a magistrate stationed at Kibera Law Courts. The prosecution told the court that although there was no suggestion of bias on the part of the Kibera magistrate, allowing the case to proceed there could raise questions about the fairness of the trial if the proceedings ultimately went against the accused.
Karanja is accused of sending the message to the magistrate on September 28, 2026, allegedly with the intention of causing fear.
According to the charge sheet, the message read in part: “Greetings Hon. MM, I have not the great bias in the case of Gabriel Saka. It seems you have taken side and we will not allow it. I will not stop at anything to ensure justice is done. Be warned. Chunga kazi yako. Na ujichunge sana, Tunajua kwako.” The prosecution alleges that the message amounted to cyber harassment and was directed at the magistrate in connection with the handling of the Gabriel Saka case.
Karanja denied the charge and, through his advocate, sought lenient bond terms. His lawyer also asked the court to withdraw the matter and release him, arguing that Karanja had been arrested on Monday and had already spent more time in police custody than permitted before being charged.
Magistrate Wakumile directed that the file be withdrawn before the Kibera Law Courts and ordered Karanja to appear before the Milimani Chief Magistrate on Thursday for plea-taking.
