Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has disclosed that the government has initiated communication with TikTok, expressing discontent with the platform’s compliance with Kenyan regulations.
Addressing the Public Petitions Committee on Thursday, the CS emphasized that the company responsible for TikTok must respond to the government’s communication. Kindiki warned that failure to do so might prompt administrative measures from the ministry.
In 2023, a petitioner urged Members of Parliament to prohibit the use of TikTok, citing it as a factor contributing to the erosion of cultural and religious values in society.
Furthermore, Kindiki asserted that an outright ban on TikTok in Kenya would be premature without considering the perspectives of the platform’s owners and potential impacts on users.
“I don’t believe we are at a stage where we can conclusively determine that the risks outweigh the benefits. It’s premature. We should develop a framework where we can formulate policy based on evidence to evaluate whether the risks are more significant than the benefits,” Kindiki remarked.
The CS stressed the necessity for a comprehensive analysis to weigh the risks and benefits before contemplating such drastic action as banning the platform locally.
“What we’re currently doing is following the procedural requirements of the law. Any measures the government takes will constitute administrative action, and there’s a process that involves hearing from those affected,” he added.
