Police Hit Out at TikTokers for Spreading Fear After Nairobi Crime Arrests
Nairobi County Police Commander George Seda has warned TikTok users and content creators who sensationalize crime in the Central Business District (CBD). This comes after police confirmed 214 suspects arrested in connection with a string of incidents in the city centre.
Speaking on Friday, Seda said the arrests are part of efforts to maintain order and that misinformation on social media is as dangerous as physical crime on the streets.
He accused some TikTokers of blowing up isolated cases to get online fame and misleading the public and creating unnecessary fear about safety in the capital.
“Those spreading fear online are also perpetrators in their own way. They’re painting a false picture of Nairobi and that affects the lives of ordinary Kenyans,” Seda said.
The commander assured Nairobians that CBD is safe and fully operational with police presence heightened to deter crime. “Business is normal. Police visibility has been boosted and every agency involved in security is on the ground,” he said.
This comes after online posts claimed criminal gangs have resurfaced in Nairobi. Former Governor Mike Sonko was the first to raise the alarm, citing cases where gangs armed with knives, machetes and even fake guns were targeting unsuspecting residents especially women.
His concerns were amplified after a viral video featured a woman narrating how she was stalked by suspicious individuals in the CBD. She said her Uber driver confirmed that such cases were common and then many others came out to share their own experiences on TikTok and other platforms.
Many TikTokers have since gone viral sharing alleged tactics used by gangs from decoys to group intimidation and even bizarre extortion methods.
City officials have also weighed in. Geoffrey Mosiria, Nairobi County’s Chief Officer for Environment said some gangs disguise themselves as Gen Z influencers to blend in before striking unsuspecting victims. According to him, these groups mobilize in the evenings, moving in large groups of 20-30 to corner targets.
Despite the fear, police insist they are in control and are urging residents to report genuine cases of crime instead of relying on social media narratives.
Also Read: NPSC Confirms New Guidelines for September 10,000 Constables Recruitment
Police Hit Out at TikTokers for Spreading Fear After Nairobi Crime Arrests