NAIROBI, Kenya — The government has sought assurances from TikTok over safeguards to prevent misinformation and coordinated disinformation campaigns ahead of Kenya’s 2027 general elections.
William Kabogo, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, said he raised the issue during a meeting with TikTok leadership, seeking clarity on the platform’s tools to detect and curb harmful content during politically sensitive periods.
“I sought clear assurances on TikTok’s tools to detect misinformation and prevent coordinated disinformation campaigns,” Kabogo said after the discussions.
The CS emphasised that while Kenya supports innovation and the growth of the digital economy, social media platforms must take stronger responsibility in safeguarding online spaces, particularly during elections.
Digital Safety Ahead of Elections
The talks come ahead of the TikTok Safer Internet Summit 2026, scheduled for March 10–11, where policymakers and digital platform representatives are expected to discuss online safety and responsible digital engagement.
Kabogo said the government is working with the platform to strengthen content moderation systems and age-verification mechanisms aimed at protecting children and other vulnerable users online.
“I emphasised that while we welcome innovation, digital safety is a shared responsibility,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary added that digital platforms operating in Kenya must comply with the country’s legal and regulatory frameworks, including the Data Protection Act (Kenya).
Parliament Rejects TikTok Ban
The engagement also follows a recent decision by the National Assembly of Kenya to reject proposals seeking an outright ban on TikTok.
On February 18, the National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee ruled that banning the platform would have significant economic consequences and could undermine fundamental rights.
Lawmakers noted that TikTok plays a major role in Kenya’s digital economy, especially among young content creators.
Kenya currently has more than 17 million TikTok users, making it one of the country’s fastest-growing social media platforms and a significant driver of the online creative economy.
Push for Local Content Moderation
Kabogo also urged TikTok to expand its operational presence in Kenya and invest more resources in moderating content in local African languages, which regulators say remains a challenge in identifying harmful or misleading posts.
According to the CS, stronger collaboration between governments and global technology firms is necessary to build a digital ecosystem anchored in innovation, trust, and safety.
