Peter Maingi Kimani, popularly known as Menelik Kimani, has been arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) after a viral TikTok video in which he allegedly threatened President William Ruto. The arrest took place in Gatundu South, where officers tracked him to a hideout in the Gachage area of Kiganjo.
In the video, Kimani directly addressed the Head of State, issuing a seven-day ultimatum and demanding a physical confrontation, declaring that the winner would take over the presidency. He also claimed royal and biblical lineage while challenging the legitimacy of Ruto’s government. The clip quickly spread across social media, sparking widespread concern.
Authorities emphasized that while freedom of expression is protected under the Constitution, it must not be abused to incite violence or threaten public peace. The DCI confirmed that Kimani was taken into custody without incident and is currently undergoing processing. He is expected to be arraigned in court once investigations are complete.
The arrest highlights growing scrutiny of online content in Kenya, where viral videos can rapidly influence public discourse but also raise serious security concerns. Kimani’s case underscores the fine line between digital activism and actions deemed threatening to national stability.