Webster Ochora Elijah Faces Legal Firestorm Over Charlene Ruto Biography
The recent prosecution of Webster Ochora Elijah, a 25-year-old Kenyan author, for publishing an unauthorized biography about Charlene Ruto—daughter of President William Ruto—has ignited a national and international debate on freedom of expression and authorship rights in Kenya.
The book, titled Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising, was reportedly published without Charlene Ruto’s consent, prompting her to file a complaint with law enforcement. On Tuesday, Elijah was formally arrested and charged with impersonation, though critics argue the case is a troubling misuse of state power.
Author Pleads Not Guilty as Legal Defense Grows
Elijah pleaded not guilty and was released on bail, with his legal team stating there is no legal requirement for authors to obtain permission to write about public figures. Defense lawyer Kennedy Mong’are pointed out that Elijah has previously written biographies on notable figures like Raila Odinga and Donald Trump without facing legal action.
Lawyer Evan Ondieki added that, “You cannot be so thick-skinned that the use of your name or image becomes an offence,” criticizing the use of criminal charges to silence a writer.
Charlene Ruto: “Permission Was Never Sought”
Speaking to journalists, Charlene Ruto acknowledged that she has no objections to the content of the book. Her core complaint, however, is that her name was used without consultation.
“The gentleman never came to me with a suggestion that he wants to write a book on my behalf, and for me that is a misappropriate use of my name,” she said. She emphasized that whether the book was positive or negative didn’t matter; it was the absence of prior engagement that she found problematic.
Criticism from Writers and Legal Experts
Many Kenyan intellectuals and legal experts have condemned the charges, calling them a direct threat to literary freedom. Political analyst and lawyer Willis Otieno said that this amounts to “misusing state machinery in defense of fragile egos.”
Literary critic Mbugua Ngunjiri noted that writing unauthorized biographies is common, stating: “A million writers can write ‘her book’ and it will be perfectly legal.” He cited the 2014 unauthorized biography of former President Uhuru Kenyatta as precedent.
Wider Pattern of Crackdowns on Expression
This case follows closely on the heels of another arrest that has raised red flags for digital rights advocates. Last Friday, software developer Rose Njeri was detained after she created a civic tech tool that allowed Kenyans to challenge the government’s finance bill. She has since been charged under Kenya’s cybercrime laws and is out on bail until her next court appearance on 20 June.
Critics view these incidents as part of a broader trend of shrinking civic space in Kenya under President Ruto’s administration. Observers warn that high-profile arrests send a chilling message to writers, developers, and political commentators.
Who is Charlene Ruto?
Charlene Ruto has been a high-profile figure since her father assumed the presidency. Often compared to Ivanka Trump, she has traveled across Kenya and internationally, engaging in youth forums and social projects. In 2022, she dismissed rumors about the existence of an “Office of the First Daughter,” insisting no public funds were being used to support her appearances.
Conclusion
The court case of Webster Ochora Elijah is set to test the boundaries of creative freedom and legal overreach in Kenya. As the trial unfolds, it raises urgent questions: Can public figures dictate who tells their story? And is Kenya drifting toward authoritarian control over speech and expression?
For now, the case continues to galvanize authors, activists, and free speech defenders across the country—and the world.
