A 24-year-old university student appeared in court on Thursday over a social media post that falsely claimed President William Ruto had died, amid growing concerns about the Kenyan government’s crackdown on dissent, AFP reported.

David Mokaya, 24, was arrested late last year after posting a picture of a funeral procession on social media with the caption: “President William Ruto’s Body leaves Lee Funeral Home”.

The image quickly circulated online, prompting his arrest under laws targeting the spread of false information.

The case was heard at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi but was adjourned until July 31.

Mokaya’s lawyer said the case was “an attack on freedom of expression”.

“Our client was taking the right… as a citizen of Kenya to express his political opinions, express political satire… and also criticise the head of state,” he told AFP.

“Political satire is not a crime,” he added. “The case is very flimsy.”

The trial came as Kenya faces scrutiny from human rights organisations over the treatment of critics and activists following mass protests in June last year over tax hikes and allegations of government corruption.

Rights groups accuse security forces of killing at least 60 people and abducting dozens more during and after the demonstrations.

In December, several individuals reportedly disappeared for weeks after sharing AI-generated images of President Ruto in a coffin.

Among them was cartoonist Gideon Kibet, known as Kibet Bull, who has since ceased publishing political cartoons following his release.

Rights groups allege a covert unit within Kenya’s intelligence and counter-terrorism agencies is behind these abductions, an accusation the government and police deny.

However, earlier this month, Ruto acknowledged the issue, stating that all abducted individuals had been returned to their families and assuring the public that such incidents would not happen again.