Popular TikTok content creator Joseph Gitonga, widely known online as “Gitonga Archives,” was on Friday granted bail by the Milimani Law Courts following his plea of not guilty to charges of attempting to extort Ksh 500,000 from a media service provider contracted by Co-operative Bank.
Gitonga appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Sharon Ouko where he denied the charge of demanding property by menace.
His lawyers, Joshua Nyamori and Black Omanga, urged the court to grant favourable bail terms, describing him as a man of limited means with pressing health concerns, and asserting that he had fully cooperated with investigators.
The prosecution, led by State Counsel Rama Mwanaidi, did not oppose the bail application but pressed for stringent bond conditions.
Mwanaidi argued that Gitonga had previously used his social media platforms to comment on and publish content related to the ongoing case and the complainant, Amos Hunja Mwangi, potentially interfering with the integrity of the court process.
The prosecution requested a gag order to prevent further publications.
In her ruling, Magistrate Ouko set bail at Ksh 100,000 with one surety of a similar amount, or a cash bail alternative of Ksh 50,000.
The court further imposed a gag order prohibiting Gitonga from publishing, posting, or disseminating, through any media platform, any content related to the case until its conclusion.
The magistrate emphasised that the order was necessary to protect the dignity of the complainant and preserve the fairness of the trial, warning that any breach could result in charges of contempt of court and the revocation of bail terms.
Gitonga’s lawyers have signalled their intention to challenge the gag order in the High Court.
The court also scheduled a mention for 13th August 2025, during which the investigating officer will be required to address the whereabouts of Gitonga’s second mobile phone.
The accused alleges that the device was taken during an incident at Co-operative Bank premises.
The matter has been fixed for hearing on 16th October 2025 in Court 3.
The case stems from allegations that between 20th and 25th July 2025, Gitonga, together with another suspect who has yet to be arraigned, attempted to unlawfully obtain Ksh 500,000 from Mwangi, who provides media services to Co-operative Bank.
The accused is alleged to have made the demand with the intent to steal.
As proceedings move forward, the case is set to test the balance between freedom of expression on digital platforms and the necessity of safeguarding judicial processes from undue public influence.
