The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Migori has confirmed that Standard Group journalist Collins Kweyu, who was arrested last week in connection with cybercrime allegations, will now serve as a state witness.
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Kweyu, who was dramatically arrested at a Nairobi hotel earlier this month, presented himself at the DCI offices in Migori to record a statement. Senior officers revealed that he had fully cooperated with investigators and that preliminary findings showed he was not the main suspect in the case.
The journalist was initially accused of soliciting a bribe linked to a story involving a judge accused of corruption. Kweyu, however, denied the claims, insisting that he was only seeking clarification on the matter as part of his journalistic duty. “I did not in any way solicit or demand a bribe. I was guided by the principle of fair reply, which is central to ethical reporting,” he said.
He was reportedly lured into a meeting at a Nairobi hotel, where plainclothes officers arrested him and later detained him at Central Police Station. Following protests from media associations, including the Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK), Kweyu was released on a free bond.
CJAK strongly condemned the arrest, terming it an attempt to intimidate journalists and suppress press freedom. The association also criticized the search of his home and equipment, warning that such actions risk exposing confidential sources.
The case has raised broader concerns about the safety of journalists in Kenya and the use of state machinery against the media. Kweyu’s shift from suspect to witness suggests investigators are now focusing on other individuals believed to be central to the alleged bribery scandal.
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