A Kenyan university student was in court on Thursday, charged with publishing false information over a fake picture caption pretending that President William Ruto was dead.

Kenya has been cracking down on critics of the government since massive protests against tax rises and corruption last June.

Security forces are accused by rights groups of killing at least 60 people during the protests and abducting dozens more in the aftermath.

David Mokaya, 24, was arrested late last year after posting a picture of a funeral procession on social media with the caption: "President William Ruto's Body leaves Lee Funeral Home".