Kenyan Author Arrested Over Book on Charlene Ruto

Police on Monday arrested Kenyan author Webster Ochora Elijah for allegedly publishing a book about President William Ruto’s daughter, Charlene Ruto, without her consent.

The book, titled Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising, was reportedly released without prior authorization from the Ruto family. According to investigators, the arrest is part of a broader probe into individuals who may have funded or facilitated the book’s publication.

Family lawyer Kennedy Mong’are condemned the arrest, describing it as unjustified and lacking due process.

“Ochora is a respected author and publisher. He has written about prominent leaders, including Raila Odinga and Donald Trump. The intention behind this book was to celebrate Charlene’s achievements, not to defame her,” said Mong’are outside the police station.

Senior Counsel Evans Ondieki also criticized the arrest, calling it an infringement on Ochora’s constitutional rights.

“This is politically motivated. Freedom of expression includes the right to comment on public figures. Arresting someone for this undermines democracy,” Ondieki said.

He urged public officials to tolerate criticism, especially when holding positions of power, noting that democratic leadership must be open to both scrutiny and praise.

Although the content of the book has not been made public in full, preliminary reports suggest it highlights Charlene Ruto’s work in youth empowerment and public service. The arrest has therefore drawn sharp criticism from civil rights advocates, who argue that such action could chill creative expression and free speech in the country.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has yet to issue an official statement on the progress of the case.

The incident has sparked widespread discussion online and in legal circles, with many questioning whether the arrest was a necessary legal step or a setback for freedom of the press and expression in Kenya.