Former Catholic priest arrested over calls to overthrow the government
Former Catholic priest arrested over calls to overthrow the government
A 44-year-old former Catholic priest has been arrested by detectives over allegations of publishing online content that advocated the unlawful overthrow of the government.
In a statement on Monday, June 1, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said Edwin Gathangi Waiguru was apprehended following investigations into content shared on his Facebook page, Kinta Kinte II, which allegedly outlined plans for demonstrations and other actions throughout June 2026.
The DCI said the arrest was carried out after intelligence-led investigations into the suspect’s online activities.
“A carefully coordinated operation by detectives from the DCI Headquarters’ Operation Action Team (OAT) has culminated in the arrest of 44-year-old Edwin Gathangi Waiguru, a cybercrime suspect linked to the alleged dissemination of content advocating the unlawful overthrow of the Government,” the statement read.
The agency explained how officers tracked down and arrested the suspect in Kiambu County.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, the sleuths quietly smoked out and apprehended the suspect from his hideout within the Kirigiti area of Kiambu County. The arrest followed investigations into a post shared on his official Facebook page, Kinta Kinte II,” the statement added.
The DCI said the publication allegedly contained a detailed plan involving demonstrations, attacks on property, and the creation of an alternative administration structure.
“The publication is said to have outlined an elaborate plan calling for sustained street demonstrations throughout June 2026, targeted arson attacks against specified public and private properties, tax boycotts, and the establishment of a parallel transitional administration,” the statement further read.
Investigators further revealed that Waiguru is an ordained former Roman Catholic priest who later joined another church denomination.
The DCI added that despite leaving the Roman Catholic Church, the suspect allegedly continued to wear clerical attire and remained involved in church-related activities.
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“In a twist that has left many astonished, the suspect is an ordained ex-Roman Catholic priest who later left the church and joined the Catholic Charismatic Church, a splinter group that permits ordained clergy to marry.
“Despite the transition, he reportedly continues to don pastoral collars and clerical robes and was recently operating from Riruta area, where he has been associated with church activities,” the statement noted.
Following his arrest, the suspect was taken to DCI headquarters for further processing.
“Following his arrest, Waiguru was escorted to DCI Headquarters and handed over to the Serious Crime Unit for further processing and investigations. He is expected to face charges under Section 40(1)(a)(iii) of the Penal Code (Cap. 63), which criminalizes attempts to unlawfully overthrow a legitimate Government,” the statement read.
The DCI emphasized that constitutional freedoms must be exercised within the law and warned against using online platforms to promote violence or unconstitutional actions.
The agency also called on members of the public to remain vigilant and responsible in their online engagements.
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