Media personalities within the creative sector as well as some musicians are publicly renouncing the telecommunication company Safaricom.
This comes after Kenyans online raised suspicions that the company was illegally sharing data with authorities leading to the abductions of several influencers including journalist Gabriel Oguda who has since been released.
However, Safaricom has vehemently denied the allegations made online.
In a statement seen by KBC Digital, the Telco said it is governed by law and does not in any way condone the breach of data privacy.
“We respect our customers’ privacy and adhere strictly by the country’s data protection laws,” said the company in a statement.
“On the current issue in discussion, we confirm that we have not received any court order requiring us to share customer information with any government agency.”
Despite their denials, Kenyans online have called for a boycott against the service.
Content creator and self-taught chef Dennis Ombachi was among the first to renounce the network labelling it “the green army.”
“As for the green army on Waiyaki Way, I won’t be working with you as your values and mine are not aligned!” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by photographer, writer and content creator Oduor George Williams Magunga, popularly known mononymously as Magunga, who said it was a tough decision as he has been a loyal customer for a decade.
“It is a tough decision for me since I have been loyal to @SafaricomPLC for over ten years. And we have worked together all along. But after what you guys did yesterday, I am ashamed to be associated and you guys can keep your jobs,” Magunga said.
Further adding, “Our lives, our sovereignty are greater than your paycheck. You crossed the line.”
Content creator Mike Muchiri also joined in the boycott saying he could not in good conscience support the company.
“I’ve been an influencer for @SafaricomPLC for the longest time. I am cutting all ties with them. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to associate myself with a brand that has turned its back on the very people it should support,” he said.
Additionally siding with Ombachi in boycotting the Telco was former media personality and podcast creator Adelle Onyango.
Similarly, musician Ben Cyco has announced he will be pulling his music from Safaricom music platform Skiza.
“I’m pulling all my music from Skiza platform by @SafaricomPLC. It’s time to part ways with sympathizers,” he said.
In response to the allegations the Telco said it would continue to serve all communities in Kenya.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives during the recent protests. We appreciate Kenyans who exercised their right to peacefully protest, your voices strengthen our democracy,” said CEO Peter Ndegwa.
The CEO also apologised for the network outage that took place on Tuesday, June 25.
“I want to sincerely apologise for the network outage that started on the 25th of June. This network outage was occasioned or caused by reduced bandwidth on some of the cables that carry internet traffic.
Please note, that this did not only affect Safaricom but also affected the whole industry. We are doing everything to ensure that we give you the service that you deserve and that we bring back service as soon as possible.”
Mr Ndegwa further emphatically denied all allegations that Safaricom had disclosed personal information.
“I want to be very emphatic that Safaricom does not disclose customer information or their locations. We adhere to the laws of the land in terms of data privacy and we have done so in the past and will continue to do so now and in the future.”
We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives during the recent protests. We appreciate Kenyans who exercised their right to peacefully protest, your voices strengthen our democracy. @SafaricomPLC is committed to serving all Kenyans… pic.twitter.com/UBlv6YyQVL
— Dr Peter Ndegwa (@PeterNdegwa_) June 26, 2024
