A Nairobi court has ordered TikToker Joseph Gitonga Kihanya, popularly known online as Gitonga Archives, to undergo a mental assessment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) before his extortion case proceeds further.

City Court magistrate Grace Ouko issued the directive on Monday, October 26, 2026, instructing the Industrial Area Remand Prison to escort the accused to the national referral hospital for evaluation. The order came after a probation officer reported to the court that Gitonga had given incoherent answers when interviewed.

According to The Standard, the officer told the court that the accused "seems to be confused and unable to respond." The magistrate then directed: "This court directs the Industrial Area Prison to escort the accused person to Kenyatta National Hospital."

The charge

Gitonga, who describes himself as a street activist and content creator, faces a charge of demanding property with menaces under Section 302 of the Penal Code. He has pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution alleges that between July 20 and July 27, 2025, in Nairobi County, he demanded Sh500,000 from Amos Hunja Mwangi, a media service provider linked to a co-operative bank. Prosecutors say he acted jointly with another person who has not yet been brought before the court.

The demand, according to the charge as reported by The Star and The Standard, was tied to a TikTok video in which Gitonga allegedly claimed that Sh1.6 billion had been stolen from a bank account. Prosecutors say he offered to take the clip down and stop publishing further material about the financial institution in exchange for the money.

The complainant told detectives that the content creator threatened to release more material that could damage the bank's reputation if he was not paid. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Bail cancelled after missed court dates

Gitonga had initially been freed on a Sh50,000 cash bail, or an alternative bond of Sh100,000, pending trial. He later failed to attend court, prompting the magistrate to issue a warrant of arrest.

The Star reports that he was traced and arrested in Nakuru before being brought back to Nairobi, while The Standard says officers from Central Police Station made the arrest weeks after the warrant was issued. He has since been held at the Industrial Area Remand Prison.

His lawyer, Joshua Nyamori, asked the court to reinstate his bail, telling the magistrate that his client's absences had been caused by ill health. The court, however, noted that the explanation "was not accompanied by medical documents" and declined, keeping the bond cancelled. Gitonga will remain in custody until a fresh bail application is heard.

Gag on social media commentary

State Counsel Rama Mwanaidi also asked the court to stop the accused from publicly commenting on the case, arguing that such posts could interfere with the judicial process.

The magistrate agreed, barring Gitonga from discussing, publishing or causing to be published any information about the case on social media or on any other platform while the matter is ongoing.

The results of the KNH assessment are expected to guide how the court handles the matter going forward. The case will be mentioned again on November 3, 2026, for an update on the evaluation and further directions.

Influencers in the dock

The case adds to a string of prosecutions in which social media personalities have been accused of using their platforms to pressure individuals and institutions for payment. Kenyan law treats demanding money under threat as a serious offence, while the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018, separately covers online harassment and false publication.

Gitonga has built a following on TikTok through commentary videos on public affairs and alleged corruption. He maintains his innocence, and the prosecution will have to prove the charge at trial.

Photos: The Star (Gitonga Archives in court).