Safaricom, Kenya’s largest telecommunications provider, is under fire amid allegations that it is aiding abductions through the misuse of its data systems.
According to a post made by Miguna Miguna on X, Latest reports link the company’s vast database of customer information—such as call logs, M-Pesa transactions, and real-time location tracking—to the growing number of targeted disappearances in the country.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa. Photo: Safaricom Source: Facebook
Critics argue that Safaricom’s data has become a tool for surveillance, making it easier for perpetrators to trace and abduct individuals, particularly government critics.
Every call you make, text you send, or transaction you complete through M-Pesa leaves behind a digital trail, including timestamps, locations, and phone numbers.
This information is stored by Safaricom and can allegedly be accessed by those with malicious intent.
Worse, Safaricom’s ability to triangulate phone locations using cell towers makes real-time tracking of individuals possible.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa. Source: The Star/Facebook
These tools, designed to enhance communication and financial transactions, are now reportedly being weaponized to silence dissent.
The alarming precision of recent abductions has raised questions about Safaricom’s role.
Victims are being located and abducted with chilling efficiency, often after posting critical views about the government on social media.
Analysts point out that abductors may be cross-referencing Safaricom’s data with other sources, such as electricity meter records from Kenya Power and Lighting Company, to pinpoint individuals’ home addresses.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa. Source: Facebook
This controversy adds to a growing list of grievances Kenyans have expressed against Safaricom.
Many customers have long criticized the company for its exorbitant prices, poor network coverage, and unresponsive customer service.
Despite its dominance in the market, Safaricom is increasingly seen as a company that exploits its position rather than protects its users.
The latest allegations highlight the urgent need for Safaricom to address its data security practices and restore public trust. For now, Kenyans are left to grapple with the unsettling reality that the very services they depend on may be putting them at risk.
