Former Catholic Priest Arrested After Sharing Detailed Plan to Overthrow Ruto’s Govt

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested a former Catholic priest over allegations that he published online content advocating the unlawful removal of President William Ruto’s government.

In a statement issued on June 1, 2026, the DCI said detectives from its Headquarters Operation Action Team (OAT) arrested 44-year-old Edwin Gathangi Waiguru from his hideout in the Kirigiti area of Kiambu County.

According to the DCI, the arrest followed investigations into content shared on Waiguru’s Facebook page, “Kinta Kinte II”, which allegedly called for actions aimed at removing the government from power.

“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 DCI said.

DCI Arrests Waiguru Over Plot to Overthrow Ruto

The agency said the suspect’s May 29 Facebook post, titled “End of RUTO-ISM IS NOW,” allegedly outlined a plan for month-long street demonstrations throughout June 2026.

According to investigators, the post also called on Kenyans to stop paying taxes and depositing money in banks, while proposing the formation of a youth-led transitional government.

DCI stated that the publication encouraged attacks on selected public and private properties as part of efforts to force political change.

The agency said the post outlined plans for demonstrations, arson attacks, tax boycotts, and a transitional administration.

From Priest to Activist

The DCI further narrated that Waiguru was once an ordained Roman Catholic priest before leaving the church and joining the Catholic Charismatic Church, a splinter group that allows clergy to marry.

Despite leaving the Roman Catholic Church, investigators say he continued wearing pastoral collars and clerical robes and had recently been operating in the Riruta area of Nairobi, where he was associated with church activities.

The DCI believes that the content shared online went beyond lawful political expression and aimed to incite actions that could destabilise the country’s constitutional order.

“Investigators believe the online publication went beyond the bounds of lawful political expression and ventured into territory that sought to incite actions aimed at destabilising constitutional governance,” the statement added.

The agency said the content is currently undergoing detailed forensic and evidential analysis as part of ongoing investigations.

Following his arrest, Waiguru was escorted to DCI headquarters before being handed over to the Serious Crime Unit for further processing and investigations.

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Possible Charges Edwin Gathangi Waiguru Might Face

The DCI said Waiguru is expected to face charges under Section 40(1)(a)(iii) of the Penal Code, which criminalises attempts to overthrow a legitimate government unlawfully.

His arrest stems from a Facebook post published on May 29, 2026, in which he allegedly proposed a series of actions intended to pressure the government and eventually establish a new administration.

While the post attracted attention online, authorities say they are investigating whether the publication amounted to criminal conduct under Kenyan law.

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The DCI stressed that freedom of expression remains a constitutional right but warned that it does not protect actions that encourage violence or unconstitutional attempts to seize power.

“As investigations continue, the DCI reiterates that while freedom of expression remains a protected constitutional right, the law draws a clear distinction between lawful dissent and actions that advocate violence, destruction of property, or unconstitutional attempts to subvert established governance structures,” the agency said.

Waiguru’s arrest comes just two days after another suspect, David Onyango Elgon, also known as MC Adek Tatu, was arrested in Mombasa County for allegedly disseminating inflammatory content on social media.

The DCI said it will continue taking action against individuals who author, publish, or distribute content that promotes violence or seeks to divide citizens.

“The DCI shall not hesitate to arrest and institute criminal charges on anyone who authors, publishes, and/or distributes inflammatory statements that promote violence or sow division among citizens,” the agency warned.

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A collage of Edwin Gathangi Waiguru. PHOTO/DCI/Waiguru