Man arraigned for impersonating Charlene Ruto in book publication fraud

A man was on Tuesday arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts for allegedly impersonating Charlene Ruto, the daughter of President William Ruto, in a fraudulent book publication scheme.

Webstar Ochora Elijah was charged with personation, with the court hearing that he falsely presented himself as Charlene Ruto in an attempt to defraud members of the public.

According to the charge sheet, the offence occurred on or before May 22, 2025.

“On or before 22nd May 2025 while at unknown place within the Republic of Kenya, jointly with another not before court while operating under the trade name Zawadi Publishers, with intent to defraud falsely represented himself as Charlene Ruto by publishing a book entitled "Beyond the Name Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising",” reads the charge sheet.

Elijah denied the charges and was granted a cash bail of Ksh.50,000 pending further mention of the case.