A Nairobi court has ordered popular TikToker Joseph Gitonga Kihanya, widely known as “Gitonga Archives,” to undergo a mental assessment at Kenyatta National Hospital. This follows his arrest in Nakuru for jumping bail in a KSh500,000 extortion case. City Court Magistrate Grace Ouko issued the directive after police transferred Gitonga from Nakuru to Nairobi. The arrest was made after an outstanding warrant issued on October 1.
Gitonga failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing, prompting the warrant. His defense attorney, Joshua Nyamori, urged the court to reinstate his client’s bail, citing illness as the reason for Gitonga's absence. However, no medical records were presented to substantiate the claim. As a result, Magistrate Ouko canceled Gitonga’s bond and remanded him in custody.
The court-ordered psychiatric evaluation will proceed as the legal case continues. Gitonga faces criminal charges for allegedly attempting to extort KSh500,000 from Amos Hunja Mwangi, a media service provider associated with the Co-operative Bank of Kenya. The offense allegedly occurred in Nairobi County between July 20 and July 27, 2025.
According to prosecution documents, Gitonga and an uncharged accomplice demanded the cash payment in connection with content posted on the creator’s TikTok platform. They alleged that KSh1.6 billion had vanished from a bank account. Investigators assert that Gitonga offered to delete the video and halt future posts concerning the financial institution in exchange for the KSh500,000.
Detectives noted that Mwangi reported receiving threats that additional damaging material would surface if he refused to meet the demands. Gitonga maintains his innocence and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court had previously granted him release on a KSh50,000 cash bail with a KSh100,000 bond alternative prior to his failure to appear.
The case has garnered significant attention due to Gitonga's popularity on social media. His TikTok platform has a substantial following, and the allegations have raised concerns about the influence and responsibility that come with social media fame. The mental assessment at KNH is expected to provide insights into Gitonga's mental state.
The court proceedings will continue, with the psychiatric evaluation being a crucial part of the case. Gitonga's defense team will need to present a strong case to counter the allegations. The outcome of the mental assessment and the court's decision on his bail application will be closely watched by his followers and the general public.
Key points
- A Nairobi court orders TikToker Gitonga Archives for mental assessment at KNH after his arrest in Nakuru for jumping bail in a KSh500,000 extortion case.
- Gitonga faces charges for allegedly attempting to extort KSh500,000 from Amos Hunja Mwangi, a media service provider associated with the Co-operative Bank of Kenya.
- The court-ordered psychiatric evaluation will proceed as the legal case continues.
