Dennis Itumbi
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Dennis Itumbi | |
|---|---|
 Itumbi in 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Dennis Itumbi March 18, 1985 Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, Kenya |
| Parent |
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| Relatives | Kevin Karaya Itumbi (brother) |
| Occupation | Political strategist, digital journalist |
Dennis Itumbi is a Kenyan blogger and political commentator. [1] He is also an election consultant, known for his role in the campaign of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto in the 2013 Kenyan general election and 2017 Kenyan general election in Kenya.[needs update]
Itumbi runs a company dealing with online reputational management, digital public relations and search engine optimization.[2]
Itumbi acted as a digital strategist for William Ruto during the 2022 Kenyan general election. In February 2022, an investigation into the Israeli hacking and disinformation operation Team Jorge showed that Itumbi had been the target of hacking ahead of the election. During a meeting with the undercover journalists, the group's leader Tal Hanan showcased how he was able to hack into Itumbi's Telegram account.[3] Itumbi subsequently confirmed to The Star that his Telegram account had been infiltrated, and that he noticed “increased activity” in the run-up to the election.[4]
Controversies
[edit]Fake Ruto Assassination Letter
[edit]In July 2019 Itumbi was arrested for authoring a fake assassination letter claiming that there was a plot to assassinate William Ruto.[5] According to police, Itumbi posted the fake assassination letter on his social media then deleted it.[6] In June 2023 a Nairobi court dropped charges against Itumbi after it found that the penal code he was accused of violating was found to be unconstitutional.[5][7]
Fake News
[edit]In April 2014 Daily Nation reported Itumbi to be involved in creation of numerous fake news posts on social media accounts. In the same month Itumbi deleted some of his social media posts and apologised for creation of fake news.[8]
ICC Hacking
[edit]In March 2012 Itumbi was arrested for hacking the International Criminal Court website and exposing witnesses in the case against Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy.[9][10][11]
References
[edit]- ^ "From blogger to deputy minister: The story of Dennis Itumbi". Citizen Digital. 2023-03-23. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "Dennis Itumbi: The Government Blogger". Daily Nation. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
- ^ Megiddo, Gur; Benjakob, Omer. "The people who kill the truth". Haaretz. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
- ^ Kirchgaessner, Stephanie; Burke, Jason; Kimeu, Caroline (17 February 2023). "Ruto ally says Telegram account was hacked before Kenyan election". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077.
- ^ a b Wangui, Joseph; Munguti, Richard (9 June 2023). "'Fake' Ruto assassination letter: DPP drops case against Dennis Itumbi". Daily Nation.
- ^ Munguti, Richard (2 August 2021). "'Fake' Ruto assassination letter: Dennis Itumbi to know fate in September". Daily Nation.
- ^ Asamba, Mercy (9 June 2023). "Court acquits Itumbi in Ruto fake assassination plot". The Star. The Star.
- ^ Some, Kipchumba; Githae, Wanjohi (23 March 2019). "When Dennis Itumbi's system of facts fails him". Daily Nation.
- ^ Mumbere, Daniel (23 March 2012). "Kenya: presidential aide Itumbi arrested over letter alleging Ruto assassination plot". Africanews.
- ^ "Kenya: Police Arrest 'ICC Email Hacker'". The Star. 23 March 2012.
- ^ "Itumbi held over ICC hacking claims". Daily Nation. 23 March 2012.
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