NAIROBI, Kenya- Amnesty International Kenya’s Executive Director, Irũngũ Houghton, has publicly criticized Safaricom’s recent decision to pull advertising from Nation Media Group (NMG) platforms, describing it as an act of “corporate censorship.”
Houghton’s remarks follow the telecom giant’s suspension of ad spending on NMG publications, including Daily Nation and Business Daily, after these outlets published stories critical of Safaricom’s operations and alleged data privacy breaches.
Safaricom, Kenya’s leading telecom company, suspended its advertising on NMG channels following investigative reports that highlighted its partnerships and alleged data-sharing practices.
The most controversial report, released on October 29, claimed that Safaricom shared user data—such as calls, texts, and location information—without obtaining users’ explicit consent, a claim the telecom has strongly denied.
The investigative story prompted Safaricom to run ads in competitor publications The Standard and The Star, reiterating its commitment to customer privacy and distancing itself from the allegations.
However, Houghton expressed his disappointment over Safaricom’s decision, suggesting that it undermines freedom of the press and stifles public debate.
“Punishing a media house for journalism is corporate censorship,” Houghton wrote on his X account.
“Rather than withdrawing adverts from Nation Africa, Safaricom would have refined its own argument in response. That is how we strengthen vigorous public debate and an independent press.”
This ad suspension has ignited a debate about corporate influence over Kenya’s media landscape and raised concerns about the financial vulnerability of media outlets to commercial pressures.
Safaricom, one of Kenya’s largest advertisers, has an ad budget that reportedly exceeds $4.8 million monthly, making it a significant financial partner for many media organizations.
Media experts note that such dependency on corporate advertising revenue can place media independence at risk, especially when corporations take punitive measures in response to critical coverage.
By pulling its ads, Safaricom’s decision could have substantial implications for NMG’s revenue, potentially impacting the breadth and depth of the group’s journalism.
The company hasn’t commented on its decision publicly, but sources indicate that Safaricom officials recently visited various newsrooms, urging senior editors to tone down coverage critical of the telecom giant.
Houghton’s comments spotlight the delicate balance between commercial interests and journalistic integrity in Kenya.
