Blogger Robert Alai has lashed back moments after his release from police custody where he has been held for the past 13 days.
He was arrested and denied bail during his first hearing where he was charged for posting photos of slain police officers during a recent attack by Al-Shaabab militants in Wajir county.
In his fiery tweet, the blogger boldly claimed that he was not afraid of the consequences and that he would continue to fight for the men in uniform (police officers and soldiers).
"We won't beg and we won't hide. Our men and women in uniform will have to be treated with dignity whether dead or alive," part of his post read.
He then went to state that his quest for justice would not be thwarted and he vowed to wage war to those who were behind his arrest.
"Demanding this is not demanding too much but just showing that we are human and we appreciate them. Let's TERRORIZE the oppressors," his post ended.
Alai was arrested on June 18 in an event that prompted the Police Spokesman Charles Owino to issue a press release warning internet users against circulating such images terming the act as unpatriotic and supportive of the actions of Al-Shaabab.
“The unfeeling act of posting pictures of our fallen heroes online by one blogger is very unfortunate and inhuman. This is the glorification of terror which is tantamount to supporting the same. It is also a cold-hearted display of insensitivity to families of the deceased, the National Police Service fraternity and the entire nation of Kenya,” a statement from the police read in part.
This was followed by a warning by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) which called on Alai to pull down the graphic pictures of the dead police officers.
“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,” The NCIC noted.
Blogger Alai was released on a Ksh300,000 bail on Tuesday afternoon, days after he requested the public to donate to his legal fees.
Through lawyer Paul Muite, Alai pleaded with the court to release him on a favorable cash bail so that he can unite with his family.
“People of Kenya have a right to information and journalists have absolute rights to inform the public of what is happening within the surrounding,”Muite stated.
