A Nairobi blogger and a prominent businessman is facing possible arrest after a woman filed a police complaint alleging defamation through social media publications that she claims damaged her reputation and exposed her to public ridicule.
The complainant, Loise Nyambura, reported the matter to police in Ruiru, claiming controversial blogger Cyprian Nyakundi allegedly published false accusations against her after being influenced by undisclosed individuals. According to Nyambura, the online publication portrayed her as a fraudster who had been soliciting money from influential Kenyans while falsely presenting herself as an employee of the Parliamentary Service Commission.
Nyambura denied the accusations and insisted the allegations originated from a private WhatsApp message she had sent while seeking financial assistance during a difficult personal period. She told investigators the message was later circulated among mutual acquaintances and eventually reached businessman Simon Gicharu, whom she described as her estranged partner.
According to her statement, she had requested temporary financial support for her child’s education expenses and informed the recipient that Gicharu would reimburse the money. She maintains the message was shared out of context and later used to portray her negatively online.
Nyambura said the social media posts appeared shortly after the message had allegedly been forwarded to Gicharu. She now believes the publication was part of a coordinated effort intended to tarnish her name following the breakdown of their relationship.
The matter was officially reported at Ruiru Police Station under OB number 48/01/05/2026, according to documents referenced in the complaint. Investigators are expected to review digital communication records and social media publications as part of ongoing inquiries into the allegations.
Nyambura stated that the online claims falsely identified her as a current Parliamentary Service Commission employee. She clarified that she had previously worked within Parliament but lost her job during recent investigations linked to fake academic certificates affecting several employees.
Police Investigations
She argued that the allegations circulating online omitted important context surrounding her employment history and personal struggles, leading to reputational harm and emotional distress.
“I only reached out to mutual friends for financial assistance because I was going through challenges after losing my job recently at Parliament,” Nyambura said in her statement. “I wanted help so that my child could return to school, but the message was later used against me.”
The allegations have sparked renewed public debate around online defamation, cyber harassment and the growing influence of digital publishers in Kenya’s media landscape. Similar disputes involving social media personalities have increasingly drawn the attention of investigators and legal experts.
Nyambura further alleged that her troubles began years earlier during her time at Mount Kenya University, where she claimed she became involved in a complicated relationship with a senior figure at the institution. She alleged the situation contributed to tension within her marriage and eventually led to its collapse.
While making the allegations, Nyambura accused individuals close to her former relationship of attempting to damage her credibility through online campaigns and social media attacks.
The businessman mentioned in the complaint, Simon Gicharu, is widely known as the founder of Mount Kenya University and has remained influential in Kenya’s private education sector. However, the claims made against him in the police report have not been independently verified.
Efforts to obtain a response from Gicharu before publication were unsuccessful. Messages seeking comment were not answered by the time this article was published.
The case also places renewed attention on Kenya’s cybercrime and defamation laws, particularly regarding social media content shared by influential bloggers and digital commentators. Legal experts say online publishers can face criminal or civil liability if courts determine that information shared publicly is false and damaging.
Kenyan authorities have in recent years intensified scrutiny of online conduct under the Communications Authority of Kenya regulations and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.
Nyambura is now calling on investigators to take action against all individuals she believes participated in spreading the disputed claims. She wants authorities to pursue criminal charges against those involved if sufficient evidence is established.
Police have not yet said whether formal charges will be filed as investigations continue.
