Suspect Arrested for Illegal Streaming
The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has made a significant move by arresting a suspect tied to a complex online piracy operation that was distributing copyrighted television content from licensed broadcasters.
In a statement released on Friday, October 10, KECOBO announced that the suspect, named Kelvin Kiplagat Singóei, was apprehended in Kiplombe, Uasin Gishu County.
The board revealed that this individual was involved in reselling premium television channels, which included some of the most popular sports and entertainment networks.
“The suspect, Kelvin Kiplagat Singóei, was apprehended in Kiplombe, Uasin Gishu County, for distributing and reselling illegal streams of premium television channels, including popular sports and entertainment networks.
“The unauthorized services were marketed through various online platforms and social media accounts, offering consumers access to Pay-TV content without the required licenses,” read the statement in part.
KECOBO highlighted that the illegal operation not only violated copyright laws but also created significant cybersecurity and data privacy threats for users.
Investigations uncovered that those subscribing to the illegal service had to provide personal information and make digital payments through unverified platforms, putting them at risk of data breaches, financial fraud, and malware attacks.
After the arrest, the suspect was brought before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Eldoret on October 7, 2025, where he was granted a cash bail of Ksh300,000, with a surety of the same amount.
The case is set to be mentioned again on Monday, October 13, 2025, as authorities continue to gather evidence and witness testimonies.
In a statement following the operation, acting KECOBO CEO George Nyakweba denounced piracy activities, emphasizing that they rob creators and broadcasters of their deserved earnings.
“Illegal distribution of copyrighted content deprives creators and broadcasters of their rightful earnings and discourages investment in local production, sports development, and employment within the media sector.
“Subscribing to such services exposes consumers to high cybersecurity risks, as their personal and financial data can be compromised or misused by criminal networks,” he stated.
Nyakweba also mentioned that the board will keep collaborating closely with rights holders and various enforcement agencies to track down and take action against offenders.
This announcement follows the recent arrest of two suspects by KECOBO for allegedly distributing pirated digital copies of newspapers.
The suspects were caught during a coordinated effort that involved the board, the Nation Media Group PLC, and the National Police Service.
“In collaboration with Nation Media Group PLC and the National Police Service, we conducted a raid that led to the arrest of two individuals involved in the illegal distribution of digital newspapers,” the board said in a statement.
The suspects showed up at the Milimani Law Courts, where they were charged with copyright infringement. The court set a cash bail of Ksh100,000 for each suspect, or they could opt for an alternative bond of Ksh500,000
Suspect Arrested for Illegal Streaming
