Nairobi Businessman Kakan Maiyo arrested over viral anti-police TikTok video

A Nairobi businessman has been arrested by police over a viral video, which the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said was inciting violence against police officers.

"Godfrey Mwasiaga Kakan Maiyo, the suspect behind a viral video inciting violence against police officers and their families, has been arrested. The video had been uploaded to his TikTok account," the DCI said in a statement on X in the wee hours of Thursday morning.

DCI said detectives trailed Maiyo to Kimathi House, where he was operating a discreet office under the name LetaPeleka Logistics.

DCI added that he is currently in custody, undergoing processing, pending arraignment.

Maiyo was reported missing hours after he was arrested by plainclothes officers from his office on Wednesday evening at around 6:45pm.

His family, lawyer and close associates tried to trace him in vain.

In a video seen by The Eastleigh Voice, three men, believed to be officers, are seen forcefully pinning Maiyo to a wall before leading him away.

“Si mrelax kwanza, hii ni stima iko hapa. Mrelax kwanza,” Maiyo is heard saying in the video.

(Just relax first, this is electricity here. Just relax.)

The moment businessman Kakan Maiyo, founder of Leta Peleka company on Kimathi Lane in Nairobi, was taken from his office today by plainclothes individuals.

Since the incident, his family has been searching for him but has been unable to trace his whereabouts.

Read more:… pic.twitter.com/TMY6zvOOaa

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 10, 2025

One of his close friends revealed that two Sundays ago, Maiyo confided in him that he feared being arrested over his vocal online criticism of the government.

His lawyer, David Ogara, confirmed that no reasons were given for the arrest.

“I was called by one of his employees who informed me that men in two Subarus came for him at his office in Kimathi House,” Ogara said.

According to the lawyer, the officers claimed they were taking Maiyo to Capitol Hill Police Station, but he was not booked there when they went to check on Wednesday evening.

“We went there, but he was not booked in. We proceeded to the Nairobi Area, and he was also not there. Later we were informed that he had been taken to DCI headquarters and that he would then be taken to an unknown police station to spend the night,” Ogara added.

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• DCI Raids
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• Kakan Maiyo
• Nairobi Businessman Kakan Maiyo arrested over viral anti-police TikTok video
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Despite visiting several police stations, including Capitol Hill, Central, and the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road, his legal team and relatives say they have not found any record of him in custody.

Maiyo, who has amassed a following on TikTok and other platforms, has recently posted videos sharply criticising the government and security agencies over alleged extrajudicial operations and abductions.

In one of the videos dated July 1, he addressed the DCI, warning them against targeting innocent citizens.

“This is my message to the DCI: those who are abducting people. Let me tell you this, you are a parent, you are someone’s sibling, you are sent to abduct a person who is unarmed, not a terrorist, and has not stolen public property. Ask yourself: for how long will I allow myself to be used by this government to make other people’s children suffer?” he posed.

“The person who sent you is the real thief of public resources, and what they’ve stolen affects even you and your children. DCI, stop your nonsense of arresting and abducting innocent Kenyans. You are not above the law.”

Maiyo continued, predicting divine judgment for those involved.

“The wrath of God is upon this government. When it strikes, none of you who have been involved in the abductions of Kenyans will survive. Your families will cry the same tears these families have cried… No amount of arrest, abduction, or killing will silence Kenyans. It is a waste of time,” he said.

He went on to warn security personnel that “a time is coming when you will go to abduct someone and you will not return to your stations alive. Mark my words.”

In a separate video posted on July 8, Maiyo took part in the viral campaign #WeAreAllKikuyus, which emerged in response to tribal profiling following the violent Saba Saba protests on July 7.

“This government cannot make us hate Kikuyus. I am a Kalenjin Luhya, and we are all Kikuyus. The enemy is Ruto, not Kikuyus,” he declared.

The online campaign, now trending across platforms, was sparked by attempts to blame the Kikuyu community for the destruction and chaos seen during the protests. In response, Kenyans from different communities have shared their identities and counties of origin under the hashtag to express unity and reject tribal divisions.

Maiyo’s arrest follows strong remarks by President William Ruto, who on Wednesday warned that any attack on police officers or security institutions would be treated as an act of terrorism and a declaration of war.

“Those who attack our police and security installations, including police stations, are declaring war. That is terrorism, and we will deal with it decisively. We cannot allow our country to be run by terror or ruled through violence—not under my leadership,” Ruto said during an address in Nairobi.

The President also issued a stern directive to police officers, instructing them to shoot looters in the leg during demonstrations.

“If anyone is caught burning businesses or destroying property, shoot them in the leg—let them go to the hospital on their way to court. Don’t kill them, but break their legs. Destroying people’s livelihoods is unacceptable,” he stated.

His disappearance also comes as rights organisations continue to document abuses linked to the Saba Saba demonstrations.

According to the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), at least two cases of enforced disappearances have been recorded since the protests began, alongside 107 injuries and 532 arrests as of July 8.

KHRC says the death toll from the June 7 protests now stands at 31.

“We strongly condemn all human rights violations and urge accountability from all responsible parties, including police, civilians, and all other stakeholders,” the Commission said in a statement.

KHRC also sent condolences to affected families.

“We once again send our message of condolence to those who lost their loved ones and wish a quick recovery to those nursing injuries,” KHRC’s Davis Nyeris added.

As of Wednesday night, Maiyo’s whereabouts remained unknown. His lawyer and family have vowed to continue demanding answers from the authorities.