Kenya Insights

Tag: TikTok in Kenya

  • ‪TikTok Removes Over Half A Million Videos In Kenya in Three Months‬

    ‪TikTok Removes Over Half A Million Videos In Kenya in Three Months‬

    TikTok removed more than 580,000 videos in Kenya between July and September last year for violating its community guidelines, its latest report has shown.

    The Community Guidelines Enforcement Report says 99.7 per cent of the videos taken down in Kenya were removed proactively before being reported by users, while 94.6 per cent were deleted within 24 hours of posting.

    During the same period, about 90,000 live sessions were interrupted for breaching platform rules, accounting for one per cent of all live streams.

    Globally, the platform removed more than 204 million videos in the third quarter, representing about 0.7 per cent of all uploaded content.

    Of these, 99.3 per cent were taken down before being reported and 94.8 per cent were removed within 24 hours.

    TikTok said 91 per cent of the violative content was detected and removed using automated moderation technologies.

    “This is one of the highest rates ever recorded by TikTok for rapid content removal. Through our continued investment in AI moderation technologies record 91per cent of this violative content is now removed via automated technologies, ensuring consistency and speed,” the company said.

    To safeguard the platform’s integrity, TikTok also removed more than 118 million fake accounts worldwide and over 22 million accounts suspected to belong to users under the age of 13.

    “By integrating advanced automated moderation technologies with the expertise of thousands of trust and safety professionals, TikTok ensures swift and consistent enforcement of content that violates its Community Guidelines,” the platform said.

    “This approach is vital in ensuring we provide a safe platform for our community, as we uphold our policies against harmful content, including misinformation, hate speech and other violations.”

    In November, TikTok introduced a new Time and Well-being space featuring tools aimed at promoting mindful digital habits, alongside four new Well-being Missions designed to encourage purposeful and confident use of technology, particularly among teens.

    The report is part of TikTok’s ongoing transparency efforts, providing data on content and account enforcement actions across its platform.

  • Kenyan Politicians Embrace TikTok

    Kenyan Politicians Embrace TikTok

    When Billionaire Elon Musk bought X (Formerly Twitter) not many people understood why he would spend 45 million dollars to buy an app which at the time wasn’t making much profit.

    Many months down the line, the communication app would become the most powerful tool that Musk used to ensure Donald Trump’s return to power. It opened faces and illustrated how significant social media has become in shaping opinions and even determining election outcomes.

    Trump in suspending the ban on TikTok revealed how much the app helped his campaign win.

    “Can you believe what I’ll do to win an election?” Mr. Trump joked about his TikTok presence during his Victory Rally on Sunday at the Capital One Arena in Washington.

    “And we went on TikTok and Republicans have never won the young vote. They win a lot of votes but they’ve never won the youth vote — we won the youth vote by 36 points,” he said. “So, I like TikTok.”

    Meanwhile in Kenya, there’s a significant shift towards digital engagement, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made his debut on TikTok, joining a growing list of Kenyan politicians leveraging the platform’s vast reach. His first live session on January 23, 2025, drew over 10,000 viewers, illustrating the platform’s power in political communication.

    TikTok: A New Political Arena

    TikTok has become more than just a platform for entertainment in Kenya; it’s now a central battlefield for political discourse, especially following the 2024 wave of digital activism led by Generation Z. These young activists used TikTok to voice economic and social grievances, turning the app into a hub of digital protest against government policies.

    The Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report 2024 highlights TikTok’s growing influence, with 36% of Kenyans using it as a news source, a trend particularly pronounced among the youth where globally, 23% of 18- to 24-year-olds rely on it for news.

    Politicians on TikTok

    – Phelix Odiwuor ‘Jalang’o’: The Lang’ata MP has not only embraced TikTok but also defended its use, arguing against any potential bans due to its economic benefits for the youth. His account, with over 530,000 followers, showcases a blend of personal life, constituency issues, and advocacy for young talent.

    – Hassan Joho: As the Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary, Joho was an early adopter of TikTok in 2020. His account reflects his high-profile lifestyle with a focus on music, particularly Bongo hits, earning him over 608,000 followers.

    – Peter Salasya: The Mumias East MP uses humor and relatability to engage his 743,000 followers, providing insights into both his personal and political life.

    – Millicent Omanga: Known as the “Dancing Queen of TikTok,” Omanga uses the platform for entertaining dance videos alongside her political engagements, garnering 332.6K followers.

    – Karen Nyamu: The nominated senator sees TikTok as a bridge to the youth, highlighting the platform’s strict content rules while using it for political interaction and personal branding, with 589.7K followers.

    – Johnson Sakaja: Nairobi’s Governor uses TikTok to promote initiatives like the Dishi na County school feeding program, connecting with 457K followers by sharing both official and personal content.

    – William Ruto: Even the President has a presence on TikTok, with a no-comments policy on his account, focusing solely on sharing content to his 581.9K followers.

    – Mutahi Kahiga: The Nyeri Governor manages multiple TikTok accounts, balancing between official duties and personal content, although he has faced challenges with negative feedback during politically charged times.

    Expert Insights

    Governance expert Javas Bigambo emphasizes the necessity for politicians to adapt to new digital tools. He notes, “Leaders who fail to adapt risk becoming obsolete in their engagement strategies.” Bigambo advocates for a more holistic integration of technology in governance, pointing out the potential of AI in enhancing service delivery and policy-making.

    As TikTok continues to shape political engagement in Kenya, it’s clear that leaders are not just participants but active shapers of this digital landscape. Whether it’s through showcasing governance initiatives, personal lifestyles, or direct interaction with the electorate, TikTok has become an indispensable tool for political communication in Kenya’s evolving digital age.

  • TikTok Signs With African Union Amid Data Safety Concerns

    TikTok Signs With African Union Amid Data Safety Concerns

    The African Union (AU) and TikTok, the leading platform for short-form mobile videos, are excited to announce the #SaferTogether Campaign.

    This initiative empowers African youth with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world safely.

    Launched at the recent TikTok Safer Internet Summit in Ghana, the campaign targets not just young people, but also parents and educators.

    Ms. Prudence Nonkululeko Ngwenya, Director of the Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate, lauded the partnership as a vital step towards empowering Africa’s youth and safeguarding their digital futures.

    “The #SaferTogether campaign is in line with the AU’s ongoing efforts to promote and advocate for not only safe online experiences for young people in Africa, but also their mental well-being through the 1 Million Next Level Initiative.

    While access to internet can help children and young people stay connected, improve their digital literacy, and diversify their livelihoods, it is crucial that they are provided with a safe environment to reap the benefits of digital platforms”, she stated.

    This partnership, leveraging both in-app strategies and on-the-ground initiatives, seeks to inform and empower communities about digital safety, aligning with the AUC’s priority on child safety online and the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa.

    The campaign includes a wide array of in-app activities, such as educational video content, hashtag challenges, endorsements by content creators, and notifications. Furthermore, the joint initiative will provide “Digital Safety Toolkits” to support educators and guardians in tackling key digital safety topics, available through a dedicated microsite on TikTok, offering an engaging guide for fostering safer online behaviors.

    Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Government Relations & Public Policy Director, TikTok, Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted this collaboration’s strategic nature: “Our partnership with the AU Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate reinforces TikTok’s deep commitment to the diverse tapestry of markets across Africa.

    “Through initiatives like our ambassador program, educational workshops, and the development of comprehensive safety toolkits, we are committed to nurturing a digitally safe environment for all.”

    Together, the AU and TikTok are committed to creating a more inclusive and safer digital space for Africa’s youth.

    This partnership will empower young people with the tools and confidence to navigate the online world with wisdom and safety.

  • Petition Tabled In Parliament To Ban TikTok In Kenya

    Petition Tabled In Parliament To Ban TikTok In Kenya

    Speaker of the National Assembly Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetangula today read a petition to the house by Mr. Bob Ndolo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Bridge Connect Consultancy regarding the banning of Tiktok in Kenya.

    The Petitioner decries that while Tiktok has gained popularity among the youth in Kenya, the content that is being shared on the platform is inappropriate thus promoting violence, explicit sexual content, hate speech, vulgar language and offensive behavior which is a serious threat to the cultural and religious values of Kenya.

    He further avers that Tiktok has been implicated in several privacy scandals over the past years. For instance, in 2019, the App was fined $5.7 million by the United States of America Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for illegally collecting personal information from children under the age of 13 by collecting data such as names, email addresses and locations from young users without their parents’ consent thus violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.

    The Petitioner raised concerns that if the platform is not prohibited in Kenya, the App’s addictive nature would lead to a decline in academic performance and ascend in mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and sleep deprivation among the youth.

    In his petition, Ndolo asked the house to intervene and take immediate action to safeguard Kenyans from the negative effects arising from the use of platform and altogether ban Tiktok in Kenya.

    The leader of Majority Party Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah in his contribution stated that there is no sufficient ground to petition the house to ban the app which many of parliamentarians are subscribers. He noted that although there might be some app misuse by the app the house should not completely ban it but task the relevant committee with coming up with regulations on its use.

    “Tiktok and other online platforms have created an opportunity for our youths to create content and earn a living thus resolving the challenges of unemployment,” He said.

    His sentiments were echoed by Minority Leader Hon. Opiyo Wandayi who asked the petitioner to further look into the matter and analyze the positive impacts of the app vis-à-vis the negatives and appreciate the employment opportunities it creates to young people.