TikToker Kakan Maiyo Arrested Over Viral Video Inciting Violence Against Police
Godfrey Mwasiaga, popularly known as Kakan Maiyo on TikTok, was arrested on Tuesday, July 9, 2025, by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over a viral video in which he is accused of inciting violence against police officers. The Nairobi-based businessman and owner of LetaPeleka Logistics was apprehended at his office in Kimathi House in the Nairobi Central Business District.
In the controversial video, which gained traction on social media during a wave of anti-government protests, Maiyo issued a stern warning to security agencies allegedly involved in enforced disappearances. He stated that a time would come when such officers would go to abduct civilians and not return to their stations alive.
He further declared that no level of state intimidation—through arrests, abductions, or killings—would silence the Kenyan public. The clip, which also referenced divine justice, was interpreted by authorities as incitement to violence and a threat to national security.
The arrest comes amid heightened political tension and civil unrest across the country, as youth-led protests demand government accountability, lower living costs, and protection of constitutional rights.
President William Ruto recently addressed the growing hostility toward police officers, warning that attacks on security personnel or installations would be treated as acts of terrorism. He endorsed the use of force to maintain order and prevent looting during protests, a stance that has drawn both domestic and international criticism.
Following the arrest, Maiyo’s legal team and family raised concerns about his whereabouts. According to lawyer David Ogara, DCI officers informed them that the TikToker would be taken to Capitol Hill Police Station, but subsequent attempts to locate him were unsuccessful. His detention at an undisclosed location has raised alarm among human rights organizations and digital rights advocates, who argue that the state is increasingly using intimidation and arbitrary detention to silence dissent.
The DCI has yet to release a detailed statement on the charges Maiyo faces, but sources indicate he will be arraigned in court for incitement to violence and possibly other charges linked to misuse of digital platforms.
Kakan Maiyo’s arrest highlights the growing tension between freedom of expression and government efforts to maintain control amid widespread unrest. As social media continues to be a powerful tool for mobilization and advocacy in Kenya, the line between activism and incitement remains under intense scrutiny. The unfolding case will likely set a precedent on how far the state can go in policing speech online, especially during politically charged times.
