A well-known TikTok activist, Gitonga, appeared in court today, accused of demanding Ksh 500,000 from a media service provider linked to Co-operative Bank.

The Senior Principal Magistrate, Sharon Ouko, oversaw the hearing, where Gitonga was charged with one count of demanding property by menace, a serious accusation that prosecutors described as both unlawful and intimidating.

Given Gitonga's high public profile, the case has raised significant concerns about the misuse of influence in such demands.

His defense team, led by lawyers Joshua Nyamori and Black Omanga, argued that Gitonga had been fully cooperative with authorities and should be granted leniency on bail, citing personal financial struggles and the hardship caused by his wife's departure due to poverty.

Despite these claims, Gitonga pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecutors raised concerns about Gitonga’s social media posts, which they claimed could jeopardize the fairness of the legal process.

They emphasized that his online activity had the potential to harm the dignity of the complainant and undermine the judicial process. Magistrate Ouko issued a court order barring Gitonga from commenting publicly on the case and released him on a cash bail of Ksh 50,000 or a bond of Ksh 100,000, with the added condition of maintaining silence about the ongoing case.

This topic brings up the intersection of social media influence, legal accountability, and the protection of the judicial process, highlighting the broader implications of public figures involved in criminal cases.