Kenyan author prosecuted for writing a book about president’s daughter
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Freedom of speech under scrutiny in Kenya as author faces charges for biography of Charlene Ruto.
Kenya’s free speech advocates and legal experts are raising alarms after the prosecution of a young author who wrote an unauthorised biography of Charlene Ruto, daughter of President William Ruto. The case has sparked national debate over freedom of expression and the rights of public figures to control their image.
Webster Ochora Elijah, a 25-year-old self-published writer, was arrested and charged with impersonation on Tuesday after releasing a book titled Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising. He pleaded not guilty in court and was later released on bail. Charlene Ruto, listed as the complainant on the charge sheet, accused him of “misusing” her name without seeking her permission beforehand.
Despite the uproar, Ms. Ruto clarified that her complaint was not about the book’s content, but the fact that it was written and published without her consent. “The gentleman never came to me with a suggestion that he wants to write a book on my behalf and for me that is a misappropriate use of my name,” she told journalists. “It does not matter whether the book is positive.”
Critics argue that the case sets a dangerous precedent and undermines Kenya’s democratic values. Many note that unauthorised biographies are standard practice globally and do not typically require permission from the subject, especially when that subject is a public figure.
Prominent lawyer and politician Willis Otieno criticized the move, stating that criminalising authorship was a clear abuse of power. “This is misusing state machinery in defence of fragile egos,” he said.
Literary critic Mbugua Ngunjiri echoed these sentiments, saying that the author had done nothing wrong. He cited the example of an unauthorised 2014 biography of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, which faced no legal challenge. “A million writers can write ‘her book’ and it will be perfectly legal,” he posted online. “Charlene would only be justified in taking legal action if there were misrepresentations.”
According to reports, the book has not seen wide circulation and is not currently available online. Little is publicly known about its content beyond its title and subject. Despite its limited reach, the legal action taken has drawn significant attention.
Charlene Ruto, known for her active public presence, has often attended events across Kenya and appeared on international stages. She previously came under scrutiny in 2022 for referring to her unofficial activities as part of the “Office of the First Daughter,” though she denied any public funding was used.
The legal team defending Elijah maintains that writing about a public figure cannot amount to impersonation or criminal conduct. His lawyer, Kennedy Mong’are, told local media that Elijah has previously written books about figures like veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga and U.S. President Donald Trump without issue.
Another lawyer, Evan Ondieki, said high-profile government figures must expect public scrutiny and commentary. “You cannot be so thick-skinned that the use of your name or image becomes an offence,” he said, arguing that the prosecution was a threat to democratic norms.
The case follows another recent controversial arrest involving Rose Njeri, a software developer who created a digital tool to help citizens oppose the government’s proposed finance bill. She was charged with cybercrime and computer misuse, then released on bail. Her case, like Elijah’s, has intensified fears about growing crackdowns on civic expression in Kenya.
Both cases have ignited public discussions about the limits of free expression and the growing concern that state resources are being used to shield powerful individuals from legitimate public scrutiny.
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