This archive report was first published on 2 July 2019.
Robert Alai Freed on Ksh 300,000 Bail ¶
Robert Alai, a prominent Kenyan city blogger, has been released on a Ksh 300,000 cash bail after 14 days of detention. The bail was granted on July 2, 2019, after Alai failed to adhere to orders by Kenya's Police spokesperson, Charles Owino.
Alai was arrested on June 18, 2019, for publishing gruesome photos of fallen police officers from an Al-Shabaab attack. He was also accused of disclosing details of a deceased police officer via social media, which was considered an act that could interfere with the maintenance of public order in the country.
Alai denied the charges before Magistrate Francis Andayi at a Milimani court. He was released on a Ksh 300,000 cash bail and a Ksh 500,000 bond. His case is set to go for hearing on August 8, 2019.
Mixed Reactions ¶
On his Twitter handle, Kenyans expressed mixed reactions to Alai's release. Some people felt that he was being let off too easily, while others saw it as a positive development.
- One Twitter user wrote, 'Why freeing a terrorism-aid, too bad.'
- Another user said, 'Jubilee government freed Jubilee blogger…. Hehehe.'
- Some people also questioned the fairness of the bail amount, with one user asking, 'Say 'I was freed on 300k bail'.'
