by MARIA MACHARIA
NAIROBI – KENYA has called for stronger regulation and cooperation from the social media platform TikTok ahead of the country’s highly anticipated 2027 general elections.
The call was made during a meeting between Kenyan government officials and a delegation from TikTok on the eve of the TikTok 2026 Safer Internet Summit, which is being held in Nairobi this week.
William Gitau, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, led the government delegation during the discussions.
Gitau said the government sought assurances from TikTok regarding the platform’s capacity to detect misinformation and prevent coordinated disinformation campaigns during election periods.
“It is vital that global platforms align with Kenya’s Data Protection Act and our evolving regulatory frameworks,” Gitau said.
The meeting took place amid rising political tensions ahead of the next national elections.
Critics of the government, particularly among young citizens, have accused the administration of President William Ruto of failing to fulfil promises made during the 2022 election campaign.
Youth activists, widely referred to as the Gen Z movement, have increasingly mobilised online to organise protests against government policies.
Several demonstrations in recent months have turned violent, resulting in numerous casualties as security forces responded with force.
Observers fear that escalating political tensions and the widespread use of social media could contribute to instability during the next election cycle.
Gitau said discussions with TikTok representatives also focused on ensuring Kenya’s digital ecosystem remains safe, responsible and trustworthy.
“I emphasised that while we welcome innovation, digital safety is a shared responsibility,” he said.
“We are strengthening content moderation and age verification measures to protect children and vulnerable groups online.”
Gitau also encouraged TikTok to establish a stronger operational presence in Kenya to support its growing African user base.
He urged the platform to invest in moderation systems capable of understanding and managing content in local African languages.
“Together, we are building a digital future anchored in innovation, trust and safety,” he added.
With more than 17 million users in Kenya, TikTok has become a major platform for entertainment, political discourse and digital entrepreneurship.
Government officials believe stronger collaboration between regulators and technology companies will be crucial to maintaining digital stability ahead of the 2027 elections.
– CAJ News
