Digital strategist Dennis Itumbi has made a U-turn to his previous sentiments concerning the arrest and release of content creator Billy Simani alias Crazy Nairobian.
In a statement shared via X, formerly Twitter, Itumbi clarified that contrary to his sentiments that Billy was arrested for threatening a senior public servant, the actual person arrested was one Wafula Bwire.
He added that the aforementioned individual has since been freed this evening after the complaint was withdrawn.
“Clarification: The content creator arrested for threatening a senior public servant is Wafula Bwire – he was freed this evening after the complaint was withdrawn. His relatives received him. Also freed was Stephen Kariuki, who was being held in Nakuru on a similar offence,” Itumbi wrote.
He went on to state that he had requested police to check if Billy was in their custody.
“So, where is Billy? Anyone with details on where he was arrested, please DM. Let us trace him, I have also requested the Police to check if Billy Simani is in their custody. If Billy is in police custody, please #FreeBilly – If he is NOT, let us find where he is… IG_NPS – everyone has a right to express themselves! I have always held there is something called Freedom to Insult! Whatever it is, let him enjoy freedom!” he added.
Itumbi’s remarks come after pressure mounted on him to disclose the whereabouts of Billy from a section of users on X.
Through a space launched by influencer, Osama Otero, the X users put Itumbi to task over the influencer’s whereabouts as he had announced his release.
In his statement earlier, Itumbi had declared that the influencer had been released from custody after being released on free bond.
“Asante, for the withdrawal of the complaint. Crazy Nairobian was released on Free Bond. Enjoy Freedom Billy,” Itumbi wrote.
Billy goes missing
Billy had been reported missing by a section of individuals close to him earlier today.
The aforementioned individuals decried that Billy had been arrested and taken to an undisclosed location over his utterances against the Finance Bill 2024.
Netizens took to different social media networks to decry his situation and asked the police to release him.
Itumbi, however, came out to clarify that the X influencer (formerly known as Twitter) had been arrested for sending threatening messages.
Curious netizens downplayed Itumbi’s sentiments and demanded he produce an OB number for his arrest over the charge.
“I have checked with Police why Crazy Nairobian, Billy, is under arrest. I understand he sent threatening message/s. I get hundreds of those myself, & they do not bother me. But well, it is a crime. I am unable to intervene, though I strongly disagree. I will reach out to the complainant to see if he/she can withdraw,” Itumbi wrote.
“That said, when they used to arrest me, I used the court platform to argue TRUTH and FACTS. I am of the view that INSULTS are part of free speech. Insulting and criticizing public servants should not be treated as a crime. I will leave the jury to decide if sending threatening messages should be treated as a crime. I would personally not bother report to police, but that I leave to the courts to determine.”
Adding;
“I also firmly hold that Public Servants should grow a THICK SKIN. Some of these arrests based on your complaints are unnecessary. They may not be ILLEGAL, but they are sincerely STUPID!”
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