Controversial Nairobi blogger Robert Alai, who is facing a number of legal suits, has embarked on raising legal fees through social media, with the target of raising KSh100,000 (US$1,174).
According Alai’s latest update, he has raised KSh35,500 (US$411) from more than 60 contributors so far, as he blamed “stooges of the government” for the cases before him.
“UPDATE ON LEGAL ASSISTANCE CONTRIBUTIONS: We are at Ksh 35,500. We are still less Ksh 64,500. PLease send your contributions to 0708-677607. Thanks to the over 60 who already contributed,” read his last post.
Alai accuses the National Cohesion and Integration Commission and the judiciary of working with the government, with an intention to charge him simply because he is “from the WRONG ethnic community and is perceived to support the opposition”.
“I need money. These people trying to make sure that I run out of money. Mutunga, Kibunjia and others are just stooges of State House. Do you remember that Itumbi was informed of NCIC intention to charge him and was never charged? Why? Because he is from the right community and he staunchly support Uhuru Kenyatta,” Alai wrote.
He added: “Alai is from the WRONG ethnic community and is perceived to support the opposition. That is how Kenya is run now. Mutunga, Kimemia, NCIC and others are just Nyundo ya State House. Help me fight this dictatorship. Send me M-Pesa on 0708-677607. I will appreciate. Niko vibaya!!!!!!”
Alai, who was charged with posting an annoying tweet regarding former Siaya governorship aspirant William Oduol, also faces a number of suits filed by former government spokesman Alfred Mutua and former head of the civil service Francis Kimemia, while the NCIC has accused him of propagating hate speech in the wake to the last general election.
Should he succeed in raising the money required to support his legal suits this will not be the first time the media has been used to raise money in Kenya, with the Kenyans for Kenya initiative by the Red Cross having raised more than KSh500 million (US$5.8 million) to fight hunger through a combination of new and traditional media.
It would however be the first time that anyone has succeeded in raising money for non-charitable causes in the country.
