Passaris Calls for Arrest of TikTokers Accused of Harassing Pedestrians
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has strongly condemned a group of TikTok content creators accused of harassing members of the public while filming videos for social media.
She is now calling for their immediate arrest, stating that such behavior should not be tolerated in the name of entertainment.
Passaris, who often uses her online platforms to speak out on social issues, expressed her frustration after a video involving two young TikTokers went viral.
In the clip, the boys approached a woman walking along the street and tried to force an interaction with her as part of what appeared to be a prank.
Despite the woman clearly declining and showing discomfort, the boys continued pushing their stunt, which caused widespread anger among Kenyans online.
“It is disturbing that people can treat harassment as entertainment,” Passaris said, noting the emotional distress such an encounter can cause. “I cannot begin to imagine the fear and trauma a woman goes through in that moment.”
She urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to quickly arrest the individuals involved. According to her, this action should send a message that assault—whether disguised as content creation or not—will not be tolerated. “Enough is enough,” she declared.
Passaris also defended the newly proposed amendments to the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2024.
She explained that part of the motivation behind tightening these laws is to better regulate the kind of content being shared on social media platforms and protect the public from harmful online behavior.
Kenyan law is clear on matters of consent and assault. Under both the Penal Code and the Sexual Offences Act, touching someone without their permission is considered assault and can lead to a jail term of up to one year.
In cases where the touching is sexual in nature, Section 144 of the Penal Code categorizes it as a serious felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
With these legal provisions in mind, the TikTokers involved in the viral video could face serious charges, especially since their actions were intended for public consumption online.
This incident is not isolated. Just weeks ago, two TikTok creators faced legal consequences after a video surfaced showing them stepping on the Kenyan flag, an act that sparked widespread outrage.
Earlier in July, another TikToker who is also a businessman was arrested by undercover DCI officers for allegedly posting a video inciting violence against police officers.
These cases highlight a growing concern over irresponsible online behavior and the increasing need for accountability among digital content creators in Kenya.
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