Author Webster Elijah Ochora has been granted freedom following an act of clemency from Charlene Ruto, the daughter of President William Ruto. In a statement released on Monday, July 28, Charlene revealed her decision to pardon Ochora, who had been facing legal action over the publication of an unauthorized book about her, opting instead to settle the matter outside the courtroom.
The controversy began on Monday, June 2, when detectives arrested Ochora. The claims against him were that he had authored and published a book titled, Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising, without her express consent. Following his apprehension, Ochora was detained at Muthaiga Police Station and subsequently charged with identity theft under the stringent Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act.
Charlene's decision to "turn the other cheek" was, by her own account, profoundly influenced by Ochora's persistent appeals. "Over the past few weeks, I have received persistent appeals through my legal counsel (Kachapin & Company Advocates) from Webster Ochora Elijah. His words and the sincerity behind them have touched me deeply,” Charlene noted in her statement. Furthermore, she attributed her choice to her public role. "As a youth champion and as someone deeply committed to positive dialogue and responsible leadership, I have chosen to extend forgiveness. I have also agreed to pursue alternative dispute resolution outside the courts,” she added, signaling a preference for restorative dialogue over punitive measures.
Initially, Charlene had sought legal recourse not only to protect her personal reputation but also to champion a broader cause. She aimed to stand up for the numerous individuals, particularly young people, who silently endure online abuse, often lacking a voice or an avenue for justice. "People whose careers have been damaged, whose mental health has been compromised, and whose dignity has been stripped away by targeted digital attacks,” she emphasized, highlighting the severe consequences of unchecked digital attacks.
However, at the height of his arrest, Ochora, through his lawyer Kennedy Mong’are, had strongly asserted that the book was not intended to cause harm. Instead, he maintained that it aimed "to project the positive works and accomplishments that the president's daughter has done over the years". Mong’are also underscored Ochora's credentials as a renowned author and publisher, having previously penned books on notable figures such as former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and United States President Donald Trump, thereby contending that the arrest was "uncalled for." This sentiment was echoed by Senior Advocate Evans Ondieki, who outright branded Ochora's arrest as "unlawful", claiming it was "politically motivated and aimed at suppressing his freedom of expression."
