The Nuru Okanga Case

The Nuru Okanga Case

Nuru Okanga is embroiled in a 2023 legal battle in which he is accused of insulting Kenyan President William Ruto in an online video. His defense team is vehemently pushing for the case to be dismissed, arguing that the prosecution has failed to demonstrate its willingness to testify. This includes the prosecution's claim that its last witness is in China and therefore unable to testify. The defense views this as a delaying tactic and an indication of a weak case. They are also questioning the credibility of the cyber forensic evidence presented and requesting the subpoenaing of key political figures, including the president and vice president, to clarify the context of the alleged insults. The court is expected to decide whether to indict Okanga by January 20, 2026. Nuru Okanga is a prominent Kenyan political activist and supporter of the opposition (particularly the late Raila Odinga). Based on current reports (as of November 28, 2025), I summarize the background, the case, and recent developments. Okanga is known for his passionate, often provocative speeches against the Ruto government and his deep loyalty to Raila Odinga. Who is Nuru Okanga? Nuru Okanga is a grassroots activist from Kakamega County who has risen to national prominence through viral social media videos and street speeches. He positions himself as the voice of the "little people" and sharply criticizes corruption, poverty, and the policies of President Ruto. His YouTube channel (@nuruokangakenya) has thousands of subscribers and focuses on opposition perspectives from rural and urban areas of Kenya. Okanga is married, has children, and comes from humble beginnings. He has repeatedly asked for financial assistance, for example, for a salon business for his wife. In May 2025, he unexpectedly met with former Vice President Rigathi Gachagua, sparking speculation given Okanga's otherwise staunch opposition to Ruto. Following the death of Raila Odinga (October 2025), Okanga was deeply affected—he collapsed upon seeing the body, was hospitalized, and initiated the "Raila Is Still Breathing" movement to honor Odinga's legacy (e.g., by donating guinea fowl to the family and symbolically shaving her head). The defamation trial against Ruto. The case revolves around a 2023 video in which Okanga allegedly insulted Ruto and incited violence against him. Charges of defamation and potential threats led to his arrest and a trial. The charges are based on a clip in which Okanga urges Gachagua (then Vice President) to "shoot" Ruto—a statement Okanga's lawyers portray as satirical or humorous. The arrest took place in 2023. Okanga was detained in Tasia Estate (Embakasi) after the video went viral. The responsible police officer, Milton Mwanzi, confirmed in court (August 2025) that he was only following "orders from superiors" and had not conducted unlawful surveillance. The defense argued that this violated the right to privacy (Article 31 of the Kenyan Constitution). The prosecution accuses Okanga of publicly defaming Ruto through the video. A cyber forensics expert (Juma Mwajirani) recently testified and played the video. The latest developments in this case (November 2025) are: Delays and criticism: On November 24, 2025, the prosecution was unable to summon a key witness (an expert), which led to delays. Lawyers such as Babu Owino (Embakasi East MP) accused the prosecution of violating Okanga's right to a fair trial (Article 50(1) of the Constitution). Owino called it a "weakness of the prosecution." On November 25, Okanga's lawyers (including Abner Mango, Shadrack Wambui, and Babu Owino) requested that Rigathi Gachagua be summoned as a "key witness." They want to clarify whether Gachagua took the statements seriously or as a joke. Gachagua, now an opposition figure after his impeachment, could strengthen the defense. The lawyers are rigorously cross-examining witnesses—e.g., For example, a DCI officer was grilled for admitting he didn't know who the president was or whether Gachagua had been impeached. Okanga's team is demanding the case be dismissed, viewing it as politically motivated. On November 27, a video was played, and the cross-examination is underway. The trial is being ridiculed as a "comedy show" because witnesses are displaying weaknesses. Okanga's case often trends on social media, with users mocking the "incompetent" state witnesses or connecting it to current issues like by-elections. One post, "Nuru Okanga alisema apigwe risa... mkaona ni mchezo!" (He said he should be beaten... and you thought it was a joke!), refers to his prophesied warnings about government failure. Okanga symbolizes the resistance of Gen Z and the opposition to Ruto's government. His case is seen as an attempt to silence critics, similar to other activists. Experts warn of restrictions on freedom of speech. Okanga is struggling financially and emotionally—he was detained in a hospital in 2023 for unpaid bills (6,350 shillings) and is appealing for donations. The situation is fluid; the court could reach a decision soon. Key points of the case: Okanga is accused of distributing an inflammatory video online targeting President Ruto. The prosecution's final witness was reportedly unavailable due to an official assignment in China. The defense pointed to weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence, particularly in the cyber forensics analysis. Defense attorneys, including prominent figures like Babu Owino, expressed confidence. The court rejected defense requests to subpoena the president but can still summon key witnesses. A final ruling in the case is expected in early 2026. This case has garnered significant attention due to its political nature and the legal battles surrounding digital evidence and freedom of expression. @https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F4HV4Bo0L6w&pp=ygUUTnVydW4gb2thbmdhIG9uIGZpcmU%3D @https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oTtXwbWz9JA&pp=ygUUTnVydW4gb2thbmdhIG9uIGZpcmU%3D @https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fGvmL6yviqA&p p=ygUUTnVydW4gb2thbmdhIG9uIGZpcmU%3D @https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QUbiRXFuiQY&pp=ygUUTnVydW4gb2thbmdhIG9uIGZpcmU%3D @https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK4m2ZdFrrY @https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJNiDPTw66E @https://www.facebook.com/7NewsGlobal/videos/nuru-okangas-court-case-has-taken-a-serious-turn-after-a-video-allegedly-showing/1172513151681461/ @https://www.tiktok.com/@courthelicopter/video/7577029479772589324