Man charged over threatening text to magistrate

A man has been charged with cyber harassment after allegedly sending a threatening text message to a magistrate over the handling of a case involving Gabriel Saka.

Francis Kamau Karanja appeared before Milimani Law Courts Magistrate Irene Thamara, where he denied the charge of cyber harassment contrary to Section 27(1)(a), as read with Section 27(2), of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.

Senior Resident Magistrate Irene Thamara ruled that the prosecution had established compelling reasons to deny Karanja bond pending the hearing and determination of the case.

The prosecution told court the threats had caused the magistrate to fear for her safety, forcing her to abandon her residence and stop using her personal vehicle. The court also heard that she occasionally visits her home due to security concerns.

Karanja was charged at the Milimani Law Courts with allegedly sending threatening messages to the magistrate, who had been assigned to hear a case in which he had an interest.

Prosecution alleged that on 28th September 2026, at about 7pm, the accused used his mobile phone to send messages to a number registered in the magistrate’s name, containing words likely to cause apprehension or fear of violence.

The messages, sent through SMS and WhatsApp, allegedly accused the magistrate of bias in the case involving Gabriel Saka and warned her to be careful, adding that the sender knew where she lived.

The accused was arrested after the magistrate reported the matter at Kibera Police Station.

According to the charge sheet, Karanja allegedly sent the message on September 28, 2026, to a mobile phone number registered in the name of Magistrate Margaret Murage, accusing her of bias in the proceedings involving Saka.

The message allegedly warned the magistrate to be careful and claimed the sender knew where she lived, raising concerns over her personal safety.

“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 message read.

The Kiswahili phrases in the text included warnings for the magistrate to be careful in her work and a statement that the sender knew where she lived.

The prosecution alleged that the message contained words likely to cause apprehension or fear of violence to the judicial officer.

Opposing Karanja’s release on bond, the prosecution described the matter as extraordinary because the alleged victim is a judicial officer.

The prosecution told the court that the alleged threats had caused the magistrate to avoid using her residence and vehicle, leaving her living in fear.

Further, the prosecution urged the court to consider the Judiciary Bail and Bond Policy Guidelines, particularly provisions relating to victim protection, when determining whether Karanja should be released.

However, defence lawyer Muriithi Mbaabu asked the court to grant his client reasonable and lenient bail terms.

The defence argued that Karanja had been arrested and denied police bail without being informed of the reason for his arrest. He was taken to Kilimani Police Station on Tuesday but was not presented in court that day.

He was subsequently taken to Kibera Law Courts on Wednesday, where plea-taking was deferred after the prosecution sought to have the case transferred to Milimani.

The Kibera court directed that Karanja be presented before Milimani Court 1 for plea-taking, noting that proceeding with the matter at Kibera could expose the process to allegations of bias.

Karanja pleaded not guilty.

Karanja pleaded not guilty to the charge. The case will be mentioned for pre-trial on October 14, 2026.