Police in Nairobi have arrested controversial blogger Robert Alai after publishing photos of policemen who were killed in Sunday’s terror attack in Wajir.
Mr Alai was picked up by the Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Tuesday morning for questioning.
On Monday, Police Spokesman Charles Owino warned him after he posted photos of officers who died in Wajir on Twitter terming the act unpatriotic and supportive of the actions of Al-Shaabab.
“It is therefore very disappointing to note that some individuals have opted to callously disregard common decency of showing respect to the departed and their families. The unfeeling act of posting pictures of our fallen heroes online by one blogger is very unfortunate and inhuman,” said Mr Owino in a press circular.
“This is glorification of terror which is tantamount to supporting the same. It is also a cold-hearted display of insensitivity to the families of the deceased, the National Police Service (NPS) fraternity and the entire nation of Kenya,” he added.
The police further warned the public of sharing gruesome photos saying, “such unpalatable acts shall not be tolerated.”
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This came after the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) urged Mr Alai to pull down the said photos from his social media platforms.
“The commission strongly condemns the sharing of these photos as it can be construed as glorifying acts of terrorism. The sharing of such photos also has the potential to cause despondency amongst the country’s armed forces as well as negatively affect the families of the victims and the unity of the country,” said Mr Hassan Mohamed NCIC secretary.
“Whereas Mr Alai has the freedom of expression, such publications can be interpreted as propaganda for war which is not protected under the constitution of Kenya,” he added.
However, Mr Alai, through his twitter account accused the government of neglecting the officers twitting, “I will continue to speak out for the poor police officers who are neglected and their allowances taken by “wakubwa.” We must give our men and women who die wearing uniform, respect, dignity and honor they deserve. We shouldn’t treat our cops like dogs. I am angry!!”
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