A man charged with the publication of false information has been released on a cash bail of Sh50,000.
Joseph Mwendwa Kitheka appeared before Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi on Monday where the court heard that he published information discrediting the reputation of another.
According to the charge sheet presented, on diverse dates between December 1, 2023, and January 20, 2024, at an unknown place in Kenya, knowingly published information he knew to be false on his WhatsApp.
The information affected the reputation of Kinatwa Sacco chairman Amos Wambua.
He is also alleged to have, at the same time, published information discrediting the reputation of Sacco's vice chairperson Fredrick Nzilu.
"Joseph Mwendwa Kitheka on diverse dates between the 1st day of December 2023 and January 20, 2024, at an unknown place within the Republic of Kenya, knowingly published information that is false through your WhatsApp status which discredited the reputation of Joseph Mutisya Kiema, the CEO of Kinatwa Sacco," the charge sheet read in part.
Kitheka pleaded not guilty to the charges pressed against him.
While requesting for release on favourable bail/bond terms, his counsel said the man has a known abode and is married with seven children.
He added that Kitheka is his family's sole breadwinner.
The lawyer claimed the allegations arose from leadership wrangles within the sacco.
He said the complaints were trying to sabotage the sacco elections coming up in a month.
Upon determination, the court released him on cash bail.
The matter will be mentioned on March 11, 2024.