Protests in Kenya have sparked accusations against Safaricom, the nation's foremost telecommunications company.
In Kenya, protests against the Finance Bill 2024 have been ongoing since last week, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and nationwide internet disruption. The bill, which has been criticised for proposed tax hikes seen as exacerbating hardship, was declined to be signed by President William Ruto on Tuesday, June 26.
The Kenyan government, holding a 35% stake in Safaricom, has frequently been criticised for supporting the telco's monopolistic position through state patronage. The telco's CEO, Peter Ndegwa, has explained that the internet disruption affected many users and impacted the entire industry, and the company had presented its views on the contentious Finance Bill 2024.
However, Safaricom now faces a delicate balancing act: navigating government regulations while maintaining the trust of its customers. Allegations of complicity in providing user data that facilitated "enforced disappearances" have been levelled against the company. Kenyans online have accused Safaricom of being involved in these unlawful practices, which are considered a violation of Kenyan law.
Safaricom, Kenya's leading telecommunications giant, has denied these accusations. The company states that it adheres strictly to data protection laws and requires a court order to share customer data. NetBlocks, an internet rights watchdog, has highlighted the severity of the disruption, surpassing that of typical subsea cable cuts, suggesting the possibility of "unscheduled maintenance."
The internet disruption has affected neighboring nations and is suspected of being suspicious due to its timing coinciding with ongoing protests. Airtel Kenya, a rival network in Kenya, was also affected by the internet disruptions, despite some users claiming otherwise on social media.
Amnesty International has condemned the "enforced disappearances" of at least 12 individuals vocal in promoting protests on social media platforms in Kenya. The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) has urged the government to immediately cease these unlawful practices and release all arbitrarily detained individuals.
The violent crackdown on protestors has further inflamed tensions. As the situation unfolds, Safaricom and the Kenyan government will need to address these allegations and work towards restoring trust and upholding the rule of law.
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