Nairobi County Police Commander George Seda has warned TikTokers and content creators against spreading misinformation following allegations of increased insecurity in the Nairobi CBD.
Speaking on Friday, Seda noted that police have apprehended 214 suspects linked to criminal activities in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
All suspects are currently being processed for court arraignment.
Commander Seda emphasized that criminal activity has extended beyond street-level crimes to online misinformation campaigns.
The police chief issued a strong warning to TikTok content creators, whom he accused of exploiting security incidents to gain social media popularity while misleading the public about the actual security situation in the capital.
According to Seda, many of the alleged attacks being shared on social media platforms remain unreported to authorities, raising questions about their credibility and authenticity.
“Those people whose intentions are not good, for this city, by magnifying issues through various channels. We, as the policing agency, have all the resources which we have employed now with the view of getting the perpetrators,” he stated. “We are calling them perpetrators because they are causing fear.”
Commander Seda sought to reassure the public about safety in the CBD, emphasizing that business operations continue normally despite the online narratives suggesting otherwise.
“CBD is safe. That’s my assurance. Businesses are going on as usual. Police visibility is enhanced,” he assured. “Police visibility contains all police agencies, which are supposed to undertake the various aspects of ensuring this city is very safe.”
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had on Thursday ordered a major crackdown on muggings in Nairobi, directing security agencies to intensify operations against criminal gangs targeting unsuspecting residents.
The CS said the government is concerned about the surge in violent robberies, many linked to groups posing as street children.
Kenyans have been taking to social media to share harrowing experiences at the hands of juvenile delinquents, saying they have been followed, robbed in broad daylight, and in some cases threatened with knives or harassed in shocking ways.
