A Proposal to Ban TikTok in Kenya has been presented to the Kenyan parliament urging MPS to ban the widely used social media platform. The petitioner, Bob Ndolo, who serves as the Executive Officer of Bridget Connect Consultancy, asserts that TikTok is contributing to the erosion of cultural and religious values within society.
In his petition, Ndolo called upon MPs to swiftly enact a his proposal to ban TikTok in Kenya, citing concerns that the platform exposes young individuals to explicit sexual content. He decries the popularity of the application among Kenyan youth, highlighting the inappropriate nature of the content shared on TikTok. Ndolo argues that this content promotes violence, explicit sexual material, hate speech, vulgar language, and offensive behaviors, posing a serious threat to the nation’s cultural and religious principles.
Reacting to the petition, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa expressed his view that Parliament cannot oversee the outright banning of TikTok due to its significant role in providing employment opportunities for numerous young people. He acknowledges the petitioner’s valid concerns but proposes an alternative approach. Ichung’wa suggests regulating the usage of the app by implementing age restrictions and content guidelines. He contends that a complete ban could adversely affect the livelihoods of many youths who earn a living through the platform.
Nominated MP Irene Mayaka echoed a similar sentiment, asserting that expedition on the proposal to ban TikTok in Kenya would not adequately address the problems raised by the petitioner. Mayaka points out that individuals can still access the app’s contents using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass any restrictions. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of parental monitoring and guidance to control what children consume on social media platforms.
The petition, which has been submitted, will undergo consideration by the Public Petitions Committee. The committee is tasked with reviewing the concerns and arguments presented in the petition and will deliver its final decision after a period of 60 days.
