A university student was charged with hacking into the WhatsApp account of a journalist, in a case that highlights the growing threat of cybercrime.
Cyrus Kibet Rono was arraigned before Mombasa Resident Magistrate Green Odera, where he faced multiple charges under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018.
Prosecution charged him with unauthorized access contrary to Section 14(1), as well as access with intent to commit a further offence under Section 15, for allegedly infiltrating the journalist’s WhatsApp account with the intent to commit theft.
He was also charged with identity theft and impersonation under Section 29 of the Act, for allegedly stealing and using the journalist’s identity to defraud unsuspecting contacts.
The court further heard that on April 14, 2026, the accused was found in possession of 39 Safaricom SIM card passwords suspected to have been fraudulently acquired and used in theft-related offences.
Rono pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Purity Musembi strongly opposed his release on bond, citing ongoing investigations and the risk of interference with evidence.
The investigating officer informed the court that forensic analysis is being conducted on seized electronic devices and that the accused is linked to other similar offences.
Odera ordered the accused be remanded at Urban Police Station pending a ruling on the bond application.
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