The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Migori County has confirmed that The Standard journalist Collins Kweyu, who was arrested last month in connection with cybercrime allegations, will now serve as a state witness in the ongoing case.
According to senior DCI officers, Kweyu presented himself at the agency’s Migori offices earlier this week to record a statement. Investigators noted that the journalist had fully cooperated with authorities, and preliminary findings indicated that he was not the primary suspect in the allegations.
Kweyu’s troubles began after his dramatic arrest at a Nairobi hotel, where he was allegedly lured for a meeting before being apprehended by officers. He was accused of soliciting or offering a bribe in relation to a story involving a judge accused of seeking inducements to deliver a favorable ruling.
The journalist, however, has strongly denied the claims, insisting that he was only seeking clarification from the judge to ensure fair reporting. “I did not in any way solicit or demand a bribe to influence the outcomes of my story. By act, we are guided by the journalistic principle of a right to a fair reply, and that is all that I was trying to do before I got myself on the accusatory end,” Kweyu told reporters in Migori.
Following his arrest, Kweyu was briefly detained at Central Police Station before being released on free bond after protests by media stakeholders. The Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK) condemned the arrest, accusing authorities of misusing state machinery to intimidate journalists. The body also expressed concern over court orders allowing the search of Kweyu’s home and equipment, warning that such actions could compromise journalistic sources.
The case continues to spark debate over press freedom, accountability, and the delicate balance between media investigations and legal processes in Kenya.
