𝗧𝗜𝗞𝗧𝗢𝗞 𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗖 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗬𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗦

Detectives from Garissa Police Station have arraigned a suspect before the Garissa Law Courts over alleged inflammatory remarks made in a viral TikTok video deemed to incite ethnic and religious hostility.

Investigations established that on April 23, 2026, Abdi Hassan Abdullahi, alias Sharu, uploaded the video to his TikTok account under the user name “sharu”, where he incited members of the Muslim community in Garissa County against non-Muslims.

Following his arrest on May 16, 2026, detectives concluded investigations and forwarded the case file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which directed that he be charged with: Ethnic and Racial Contempt, contrary to Section 62(1) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, No. 12 of 2008; and Cyber Harassment, contrary to Section 27 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.

Yesterday, July 2, 2026, Abdullahi was arraigned before the Garissa Law Courts, where he pleaded not guilty to both charges. He was released on a bond of Sh500,000, with an alternative cash bail of Sh200,000.

The matter is scheduled for pre-trial proceedings on July 20, 2026.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reminds members of the public that while freedom of expression is protected by law, it does not extend to conduct that unlawfully incites hatred, discrimination or public disorder. Social media platforms should be used responsibly, and anyone who uses them to commit criminal offences will be investigated and brought before the courts in accordance with the law.

#FichuaKwaDCI. Call 0800 722 203 (Toll-free) or WhatsApp at 0709 570 000 to report anonymously. Usiogope!