TikToker Joseph Gitonga Kihanya, known online as Gitonga Archives, has been ordered to undergo a mental assessment at Kenyatta National Hospital.
The order was issued on Monday by City Court Magistrate Grace Ouko. It followed his arrest in Nakuru and transfer to Nairobi after he failed to attend court in a case involving an alleged KSh500,000 extortion demand.
A warrant for his arrest had been issued on October 1. The case is now awaiting further court directions.
Bail Cancelled After Missed Hearing
Gitonga’s lawyer, Joshua Nyamori, had asked the court to reinstate his client’s bail. He said the TikToker had missed the hearing because he was unwell.
However, medical records were reportedly not presented to support that explanation. His bond was subsequently cancelled, and he was ordered to remain in custody as his application for fresh bail is considered.
The mental assessment is expected to form part of the ongoing court proceedings. No findings from the assessment had been reported in the account provided by the court report.
KSh500,000 Extortion Allegations
Gitonga is accused of demanding KSh500,000 from Amos Hunja Mwangi, a media service provider linked to Cooperative Bank of Kenya.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offence took place between July 20 and July 27, 2025, in Nairobi County. The demand was allegedly made alongside another person who has not yet been brought before the court.
Investigators claim the dispute arose after a video was posted on Gitonga’s TikTok account. In it, he allegedly claimed that KSh1.6 billion had been stolen from a bank account.
Dispute Over TikTok Video
The prosecution alleges that Gitonga demanded payment in exchange for removing the video and refraining from publishing further content about the financial institution.
Mwangi reportedly told detectives that the TikToker threatened to release additional material that could damage the institution’s reputation if the money was not paid.
These claims remain allegations and have not been established in court. Gitonga has denied the charges and previously pleaded not guilty.
Case Awaits Further Court Action
Gitonga was initially released on a KSh50,000 cash bail or an alternative bond of KSh100,000 while awaiting trial.
His arrest followed the missed court appearance and the warrant issued earlier this month. The latest order adds a mental assessment to the steps required before the case proceeds.
The prosecution must still prove its allegations in court. The outcome of Gitonga’s bail application and the findings of the assessment may shape the next stage of the proceedings.
