Webster Ochora Elijah, the man accused of publishing a book without the consent of Charlene Ruto — daughter of President William Ruto — has been released on a cash bail of Ksh 50,000.

Ochora appeared in court on Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of identity theft and violations under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act.

The charges stem from the publication of a book titled Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising, which prosecutors say was authored and released without Charlene's permission. Authorities claim the book misrepresented her identity and leveraged her public profile without authorisation.

Ochora was arrested on June 2, following a complaint filed over the book’s circulation. After his arrest, he was detained at Muthaiga Police Station, where he awaited arraignment.

The court has scheduled June 17 for the hearing of the case, setting the stage for what could become a highly scrutinized legal battle balancing freedom of expression, intellectual property, and personal rights in the digital age.

The defence is expected to challenge the charges, arguing that the publication constitutes protected speech and commentary, while the prosecution maintains that the author exploited a public figure’s name for gain, violating data protection and cybercrime laws.

This case has sparked public debate, especially on the limits of biographical storytelling, public interest, and the legal boundaries of writing about high-profile individuals without their consent.