This archive report was first published on 3 August 2020.
On August 3, 2020, a Kenyan YouTuber, Natalie Wanjiru Githinji, found herself at the center of a controversy involving popular vlogger Edgar Obare.
Obare, who runs a popular Instagram page specializing in local celebrity exposés, was charged with unlawfully publishing private and personal details from Githinji's passport at the Kiambu Law Courts.
According to the charge sheet, on diverse dates between July 9 and July 13, 2020, Obare used his social media accounts to disclose Githinji's personal data, including her visa details, without her consent.
Obare pleaded not guilty to the charges and was represented by lawyer Titus Munene Kinyua. His bail status will be determined in the afternoon.
Under the Data Protection Act, committing an offense under Section 72 can result in a fine not exceeding Sh3 million or an imprisonment term not exceeding 10 years, or both.
Obare was arrested on Thursday in Kisumu and taken to DCI headquarters in Nairobi for questioning.
His arrest came weeks after he posted a string of posts alleging that Githinji was part of a top entourage that visited ODM leader Raila Odinga in Dubai.
The entourage included legislator Junet Mohamed and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, who had traveled to see Odinga aboard a private jet.
