Police in Nakuru have faced strong criticism after arresting 33-year-old social media personality May Jerono over a Facebook post, including allegedly harassing her mother at her workplace. Census Ruto, a primary school teacher, described the incident as humiliating as officers stormed her classroom. Jerono has been released and confirmed she is safe.
Police in Nakuru County have drawn widespread criticism for their handling of the arrest of 33-year-old social media personality May Jerono, accused over a Facebook post. Officers reportedly sought her out by targeting her mother, Census Ruto, a teacher at Athinai Primary School in Nakuru. Ruto recounted how police entered her classroom during lessons, dragged her out in front of students and colleagues, forced her to sit on the floor, and seized her phone. She said, “They came into the school and harassed me badly in front of my students and fellow teachers… they even forcefully took the phone I had… I was just shocked and kept asking why, and they told me I would find out later.”
Ruto was taken to Kaptembwo Police Station without clear charges explained, feeling intimidated and humiliated. Upon arrival, Jerono appeared, but officers prevented them from speaking and searched her home. Jerono confirmed her release in a video posted early Sunday, around 10:00 am, though delays arose from processing and a five-hour trip from Kitale to Nakuru. In the video, she stated, “Thank you, I am safe. Shout out to all my Facebook friends, I thank you so much. To my enemies, I am loved; you saw it yourselves. I’m so overwhelmed, I just wanted to say thank you. I’m at home, I’m safe. I just want to rest, then tomorrow I will tell you all what really happened.”
She noted her phone was confiscated, preventing updates. The incident has prompted condemnation from political figures, including People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, who called the tactic of arresting a mother to pressure her daughter unacceptable and criminal. Jerono's lawyer described the arrest as unprocedural, arguing the post did not constitute a crime. The family demands an investigation into the officers' conduct, viewing it as part of a pattern of intimidation against online expression.
