Joseph Gitonga Kianya appeared before City Court Senior Principal Magistrate Sharon Ouko and denied the charges.
The court heard that Gitonga allegedly demanded money from Amos Hunja Mwangi, a service provider with Co-operative Bank.
TikToker charged with demanding money with menaces
According to the prosecution, Gitonga committed the offence between July 20 and July 25 within Nairobi County.
The court was told that Gitonga, together with another person who has not been charged, unlawfully demanded Sh500,000 from Hunja with the intention of stealing.
Gitonga, who has gained a significant following on TikTok, denied the allegations against him.
Defence seeks favourable bail terms
Gitonga’s lawyers Joshua Nyamori and Black Omanga asked the court to grant him lenient bail terms.
The lawyers told the court that their client had cooperated with police during investigations and was not a flight risk.
They also described Gitonga as financially struggling and urged the court to consider his personal circumstances.
“My client is a poor man whose wife left him. He does not have a wife. The wife ran away because he is a poor man,” Omanga told the court.
Prosecution seeks gag order over social media posts
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) asked the court to stop Gitonga from discussing the matter on social media.
State Counsel Rama Mwanaidi told the court that the accused had been posting information about the case on his TikTok platforms.
The prosecution argued that the posts could interfere with the integrity of the judicial process.
“The accused person has been publishing details of this matter. The posts include commentary that touches on this case,” Mwanaidi submitted.
Court bars TikToker from discussing case
Magistrate Sharon Ouko granted the prosecution’s request and issued a gag order against Gitonga.
The court directed him not to publish, comment on, or discuss the case on any platform.
The magistrate stated that court matters should not be determined through public discussions.
“A case before a court of law ought not be tried in the court of public opinion,” Magistrate Ouko ruled.
She added that the order was necessary to protect the dignity of the complainant and preserve the integrity of the proceedings.
Gitonga released on bail
The court released Gitonga on a cash bail of Sh50,000 or an alternative bond of Sh100,000.
However, the court maintained strict conditions barring him from making any public comments about the ongoing case.
The matter will continue as the prosecution and defence prepare for the hearing.
