The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is seeking a court order to examine a mobile phone linked to an investigation into an altered photograph of Mvita Member of Parliament Mohamed Soud Machele.
The photograph comes from a wedding held on 20 June 2026 in Nyali, Mombasa. Mr Machele attended the event as the chief guest of honour for the son of Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno.
He posed for several pictures with other guests. One of those images later appeared online in a changed form. In the altered version, the MP was shown wearing what looked like a waiter’s clothing while still at the same function.
The original picture had simply shown him taking part in the celebrations. When the changed image began circulating widely on social media, Mr Machele reported the matter to Mombasa Central Police Station.
He told officers that the photograph had caused him distress, especially because he is a public figure and a sitting Member of Parliament.
The case was recorded under OB number 49/23/7/2026. Detectives have focused their attention on Mr Haani Omar Swaleh, a former close associate of the MP. Mr Swaleh was arrested on 20 August 2026.
An iPhone 11 was taken from him at the time of the arrest. Court papers state that the phone is believed to hold information connected to the creation and sharing of the altered photograph.
Investigators say the image was posted on various platforms, including the man’s WhatsApp status.
The DCI has asked the Chief Magistrate’s Court for permission to let the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit Forensic Unit examine the device.
Officers want to extract data from WhatsApp, Facebook and TikTok covering the period from 20 June to 20 July 2026.
They hope the examination will show how the picture was changed, how it was spread, and who was responsible. Inspector Joseph Ngatia, who is handling the case, explained that the information on the phone is private.
A court order is therefore needed before the forensic team can access it. The unit would also prepare a report that can be used as evidence and issue the necessary certificate under the Evidence Act.
The investigation is being conducted under Section 27 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018, which deals with cyber harassment. Detectives are still working to confirm the exact circumstances of the image’s alteration and distribution.
The court application was filed this week, and a decision on the request for forensic access is expected soon.
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