Tiktoker Mauti changes plea, freed on bail in case involving Ruto's children
Hesbon Mauti, a TikToker accused of posting threatening content against President Ruto's children, has been released on bail after changing his plea to not guilty. The court allowed the plea change, and the defense emphasized his status as an orphan and student.
Why it matters
The case highlights the intersection of social media regulation, freedom of expression, and the legal protections afforded to public figures' families.
TikToker Hesbon Mauti Thomas, accused of posting a video containing remarks threatening President William Ruto's son George Ruto and daughter, has been released on a Sh5,000 cash bail after changing his plea to not guilty. Mauti appeared before Milimani Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo on Friday, July 31, 2026, where the charge of offensive conduct conducive to breaches of the peace was read afresh to him. The accused, who had initially pleaded guilty to the charge on Thursday, changed his plea after his lawyer Cliff Ombeta applied for the matter to be reopened and for the charge to be read again. The court allowed the application, after which Mauti denied the charge and pleaded not guilty.
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