This archive report was first published on 4 July 2019.
DP Ruto Assassination Plot: Friends at Odds Over WhatsApp Group 'Tangatanga' ¶
On July 2, 2019, police arrested a man named Samuel in connection with a plot to assassinate Deputy President William Ruto. The arrest was made after a tip-off from a suspect who had been using a phone to send a fake email to a WhatsApp group called 'Tangatanga Movement.'
According to a court document filed by the investigating officer, Yvonne Anyango, the WhatsApp group was created on July 8, 2018, and had 256 members. The group was allegedly used to discuss a plot to assassinate Deputy President Ruto.
On July 4, 2019, Dennis Itumbi, a digital communications officer at the State House, was arrested and charged with sending a fake email to the WhatsApp group. The email allegedly discussed a plot to assassinate Deputy President Ruto.
Itumbi's arrest has sparked a heated debate among his friends and colleagues, with some defending him and others accusing him of being involved in the plot.
According to the investigating officer, Anyango, the WhatsApp group was used to discuss a plot to assassinate Deputy President Ruto, and Itumbi was allegedly involved in sending a fake email to the group.
Itumbi's lawyer has denied the allegations, saying that his client was simply a member of the WhatsApp group and did not send any emails.
On July 3, 2019, Itumbi was released on bail after spending five days in custody. He is expected to appear in court again on July 8, 2019.
The case has sparked a heated debate among Kenyans, with some calling for Itumbi's arrest and others defending him.
