WhatsApp Admin in Custody for Spreading Fake News

A WhatsApp group administrator is spending his nights in custody after police in Kajiado County arrested him. Longton Jamil is an administrator of a popular WhatsApp group in the county and was arrested for reportedly spreading false information on the social media site.

Jamil has been the administrator of 'Kajiado Unity of Purpose' WhatsApp group and is being held at Isinya Police Station after Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers arrested him in Kitengela town.

Kajiado County Commissioner Harsama Kello said that Jamil would be arraigned in court to face charges of spreading fake news.

“He was spreading alarming propaganda on social media, including disturbing pictures of dead people,” said Kello. “We want to warn people who misuse media to create anarchy, that their days are numbered. We will arrest more in the next two days,” added Kello.

Jamil, a businessman in Kitengela, has denied posting any such news. “The group has many members and anyone can post anything at any time. I have on several occasions warned members against posting unverified information,” Jamil said.