Sonko Withdraws Case Against University Student Accused of Cyber Squatting

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has withdrawn charges against a university student, Tyson Kibet, who was accused of conning unsuspecting Kenyans by using Sonko’s name on a fake Facebook account.

Kibet, who was charged on May 27, 2024, with cybersquatting—a crime involving the unauthorized registration and use of internet domain names that are identical or similar to trademarks, service marks, company names, or personal names—had pleaded not guilty to the charges before Magistrate Susan Shitubi.

According to the charge sheet, Kibet had created a Facebook account in the name of Mike Sonko without the former governor’s permission. The offense was alleged to have occurred on November 25, 2023, when Kibet used Sonko’s credentials to establish the account, leading to a series of fraudulent activities that targeted unsuspecting members of the public.

Appearing before Magistrate Onsarigo, Sonko officially withdrew the case against Kibet, who had been released on a cash bail of KSh 200,000 or a bond of KSh 1 million. The former governor’s decision to drop the charges effectively set the student free.

In a moment of humility, Kibet expressed his gratitude to Sonko for the withdrawal of the case and pleaded with him to grant him a job, citing the need to move on from idle activities that led him down the wrong path.

The case highlights the growing concerns over cybercrimes, particularly cybersquatting, as well as the impact of social media misuse. While Kibet’s future remains uncertain, his freedom marks a second chance to rebuild his life, this time with the hopes of legitimate employment.

The former governor’s gesture of leniency underscores the importance of forgiveness and second chances in the criminal justice system, particularly for young offenders. However, it also serves as a cautionary tale about the serious consequences of engaging in online fraud and impersonation.

The case has since been closed, with Kibet now free to chart a new course for his future