Kenyan detectives have arrested a man who appeared in a viral social media video tearing bundles of KSh100 notes, an act authorities say violates the country’s laws protecting its currency.
The arrest was confirmed on Monday by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, which said officers from its specialised financial crimes unit tracked down the suspect after the footage spread widely online.
In the 27-minute video posted on TikTok, the man is seen placing several stacks of cash on a table before tearing the banknotes one by one. Much of the money shown appears to be KSh100 notes.
“Banking Fraud Investigations Unit detectives have arrested a man who was wanted for allegedly mutilating Kenyan currency notes and flaunting the acts on TikTok,” the DCI said in a statement.
The suspect is now in custody and is expected to be arraigned in court.
What the law says
Kenyan law treats deliberate damage to currency as a criminal offence.
Under Section 367A of the Penal Code, intentionally tearing, cutting or otherwise defacing banknotes can lead to a fine of up to KSh2,000, a prison sentence of up to three months, or both.
Authorities say the rule exists to protect the integrity of money in circulation. When banknotes are damaged, they often become unusable and must be withdrawn and replaced.
The Central Bank of Kenya, which oversees the country’s currency, has repeatedly warned against practices that destroy or alter banknotes.
A broader warning
Just weeks ago, the central bank cautioned the public against using cash as decoration — including in so-called “money bouquets” popular at celebrations.
Officials said such displays often involve folding, stapling or gluing notes, which can render them unfit for circulation and damage machines that process cash, such as ATMs.
Tampering with coins is treated even more severely. Under Kenyan law, altering coins to reduce their weight is a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison.
Investigators say the latest arrest is meant to send a clear signal that the misuse of currency, even for online attention, carries legal consequences.
For now, the viral video that first caught the public’s attention may end in a courtroom rather than on social media.