Popular TikToker Joseph Gitonga Kihanya, alias Gitonga Archives, was arrested in Nakuru and later transferred to Nairobi, where he was presented before the City Court. An arrest warrant had been issued against him for failing to attend court proceedings. Gitonga's lawyer, Joshua Nyamori, applied for the reinstatement of his bail, citing his client's ill health as the reason for missing previous proceedings.
Gitonga is charged with demanding property with menaces, contrary to Section 302 of the Penal Code. He has denied the allegations and previously pleaded not guilty to the charge. According to the prosecution, Gitonga allegedly acted jointly with another person to demand KSh500,000 from Amos Hunja Mwangi, a media service provider linked to a local bank.
The alleged offence occurred between July 20 and July 27, 2025, within Nairobi County. Prosecutors allege that the demand was connected to a video published on Gitonga's TikTok account, in which he claimed that Ksh.1.6 billion had been stolen from a bank account. The prosecution further alleges that Gitonga demanded the money in exchange for removing the video and refraining from publishing additional content concerning the financial institution.
Gitonga had initially been released on a Ksh.50,000 cash bail or an alternative bond of KSh100,000 as he awaited trial. However, the court cancelled his bond and ordered that he remain in custody until October 26, when his application for fresh bail is scheduled to be heard. The court also issued a gag order barring him from discussing, publishing or causing to be published information relating to the case on social media or any other platform.
The arrest warrant was issued on August 22 by Magistrate Grace Ouko after Gitonga failed to appear in court for the hearing of the matter. During earlier proceedings, State Counsel Rama Mwanaidi asked the court to restrain Gitonga from commenting publicly about the matter, arguing that his posts could interfere with the judicial process.
Hunja reportedly told detectives that Gitonga threatened to continue releasing material that could damage the bank's reputation if the money was not paid. The case has attracted significant attention, with many following the developments on social media. Gitonga's lawyer urged the court to release him pending the hearing and determination of the case, but no medical documents were presented to support the explanation for his absence.
Gitonga's application for fresh bail is scheduled to be heard on October 26. The court has to determine whether to grant him bail and under what conditions. The TikToker's fate remains uncertain as he remains in custody.
Key points
- Gitonga Archives was arrested and arraigned in court over a Ksh.500,000 extortion case.
- The court cancelled his bond and ordered that he remain in custody until October 26.
- Gitonga is charged with demanding property with menaces, contrary to Section 302 of the Penal Code.
