Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has called for swift action against a group of TikTok creators accused of harassing pedestrians in the name of creating content after viral videos of such incidents were put online.
Passaris condemned a video where two young men are seen approaching a female pedestrian who clearly showed her disinterest in their prank. The creators, defying her will, kept filming as the outrage trended online.
“It is shocking that such acts are being treated as entertainment. I cannot begin to imagine the trauma a girl goes through in such an ordeal,” said Passaris.
The lawmaker called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to take over the matter.
“I call upon the DCI to bring in those boys immediately. This should act as a warning to any person who attacks another person in the name of content creation. Enough is enough.”
Passaris also defended the recent amendments to the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2024, saying part of the law’s purpose is to regulate harmful content circulating on social media.
In Kenya’s law, it is clear: touching somebody without their consent is an assault and is punishable by a year in prison under the Penal Code and Sexual Offences Act. Section 144 of the Penal Code makes non-consensual sexual touching a serious felony, carrying up to five years in jail. Since it was recorded and shared on social media, the creators of the video could thus face legal consequences.
This is not the first time TikTokers get into trouble over controversial videos. Some weeks ago, two creators stirred public outrage after a clip showed them stepping on the Kenyan flag. In July, a Nairobi businessman and TikToker was arrested by plain-clothed DCI officers in connection with allegedly posting a video inciting violence against police.
