NAIROBI, Kenya — A woman who was arrested after being accused of tracking President William Ruto’s flights and publishing the information online has been released after a court closed the case filed against her by investigators.
The decision followed a High Court order directing her immediate release and rejecting continued detention while investigations were ongoing.
Halima Ngache walked free after a magistrate ruled that there was no legal basis to continue holding her following the expiry of a three-day detention order previously granted to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The ruling marks a significant setback for investigators, who had argued that Ngache posed a potential security risk by allegedly publishing details of the President’s travel movements through a social media account.
Court declines request for more detention
When the matter came up before Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena, investigators sought an extension of Ngache’s detention to allow more time to complete forensic examinations and investigations.
The request was rejected.
The magistrate noted that the High Court had already intervened and ordered Ngache’s immediate release.
“This court takes judicial notice that the High Court is seized of this matter and has ordered the immediate release of the suspect. I am left with no option but to close the file and free the suspect,” Nyangena ruled.
The court subsequently marked the miscellaneous application as closed.
High Court intervenes
The release followed a ruling by High Court Judge Alexander Muteti, who set aside earlier detention orders and directed that Ngache be released by 5:00 p.m. on Friday.
Ngache had challenged both her arrest and detention through her legal team led by advocate Ian Mutiso.
Her lawyers argued that police had violated her constitutional rights by arresting her without a warrant and seizing electronic devices without judicial authorization.
According to court filings, officers confiscated three mobile phones, a laptop and a tablet during the operation.
The defence argued that the seizure violated constitutional protections relating to privacy and property rights under Article 31 of the Constitution.
Mutiso urged the High Court to exercise its supervisory jurisdiction over subordinate courts under Article 165 of the Constitution and nullify the detention orders.
Justice Muteti agreed, ordering her immediate release while directing that the matter be mentioned again on July 9 for further directions.
Allegations against Ngache
Ngache was arrested on June 30 from her residence in Kizandani, Mombasa County, by officers attached to the DCI’s Serious Crimes Unit before being transferred to Nairobi.
Investigators alleged that she was linked to the X account @sholard_mancity, which had been posting details relating to President Ruto’s air travel.
The DCI told the court that publishing information about the President’s flights could pose a security threat and sought additional time to investigate possible offences under Kenya’s cybercrime and national security laws.
Police further claimed that forensic analysis of electronic devices recovered during the arrest was necessary to establish ownership and management of the account.
Among the items seized were mobile phones, flash drives, a tablet and a laptop.
Ngache denies operating account
Ngache has consistently denied running the social media account in question.
She argued that despite investigators confiscating her devices, the account remained active and continued posting content after her arrest.
Her lawyers cited that fact as evidence that another person could be responsible for operating the account.
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The defence also questioned the basis of the allegations, noting that information regarding presidential movements is often reported publicly by government agencies, media outlets and aviation tracking platforms.
Questions over digital rights and state powers
The case has sparked wider debate about privacy rights, online expression and the limits of state surveillance powers in Kenya.
Human rights advocates and digital rights campaigners have closely followed the proceedings, arguing that arrests linked to online activity must meet strict constitutional standards and be supported by clear evidence.
The decision to release Ngache does not automatically end investigations, but it significantly weakens the immediate legal action that authorities had sought against her.
For now, the case stands closed at the magistrate’s court, while attention shifts to the High Court proceedings and whether investigators will pursue further action.
