#FreeBilly: Dennis Itumbi Now Asserts Crazy Nairobian Was Arrested For Threats
Dennis Itumbi, a digital strategist, has revealed details about the arrest of Billy, also known as Crazy Nairobian, during this week’s Finance Bill protests.
Taking to his platform, Itumbi claimed Billy’s charges included sending threatening messages to a public servant.
Itumbi mentioned that he would contact the complainant to withdraw the complaint.
“I have checked with police why Crazy Nairobian, Billy, is under arrest. I understand he sent threatening message/s. I get hundreds of those myself, and they do not bother me. But well, it is a crime. I am unable to intervene, though I strongly disagree. I will reach out to the complainant to see if he/she can withdraw,” he posted on X.
Furthermore, Itumbi urged public servants to develop a thick skin when dealing with some of the public’s insults.
I have checked with Police why Crazy Nairobian, Billy, is under arrest. I understand he sent threatening message/s. I get hundreds of those myself, & they do not bother me. But well, it is a crime. I am unable to intervene, though I strongly disagree. I will reach out to the…
— -Dennis Itumbi, CBS (@OleItumbi) June 22, 2024
“That said, when they used to arrest me, I used the court platform to argue truth and facts. I am of the view that insults are part of free speech,” Itumbi said
“Insulting and criticising public servants should not be treated as a crime. I will leave the jury to decide if sending threatening messages should be treated as a crime. I would personally not bother report to police, but that I leave to the courts to determine.”
“I also firmly hold that Public Servants should grow a thick skin. Some of these arrests based on your complaints are unnecessary. They may not be illegal, but they are sincerely stupid!” he added.
Itumbi’s response follows an online forum hosted on the X platform that sought to learn the whereabouts of Crazy Nairobian.
The X Space, which had over 10,000 listeners, questioned why the government was headhunting some of the Gen Zs who publicly expressed their dissatisfaction with the harsh economic conditions.
Politicians allied with the Kenya Kwanza government have come under fire, with Kenyans naming and shaming legislators who voted in favor of the Finance Bill.
Similarly, a blogger was arrested in 2017 for insulting the president but later appealed the charges citing freedom of expression.
The judge agreed that the petition raised an important question: whether criticizing a public official justifies limiting a constitutional right.
He stated that criminalizing such a matter prevents the right to speak about public officers and reduces one’s right to hold an opinion.
#FreeBilly: Dennis Itumbi Now Asserts Crazy Nairobian Was Arrested For Threats
