Peter Oyier’s fight against Safaricom has exposed a harsh reality how large corporations in Kenya often exploit creatives without hesitation.
The former news anchor and voice artist is demanding Sh69 million from the telecom giant, accusing them of using his voice for their platinum client services long after his contract ended.
This isn’t just about money, it’s about fairness, respect, and the blatant disregard some companies have for the people whose work fuels their success.
For years, Oyier’s voice guided Safaricom’s premium customers through their Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. His recordings in English and Kiswahili were part of the company’s polished customer experience, yet when his contract expired in 2022, Safaricom kept using his voice without permission or payment.
Court documents reveal that Oyier repeatedly reached out, sending emails and letters, only to be ignored or dismissed with claims that no formal agreement existed. The arrogance in that response is hard to miss how can a company worth billions justify using someone’s work without compensation and then act as though it’s nothing?
This case highlights a disturbing trend in Kenya’s creative industry. Artists, musicians, writers, and voice talents are often treated as disposable.
Corporations take what they need, benefit from it, and then move on without a second thought.
Safaricom, as one of the country’s most profitable companies, should know better. Instead, they’ve become a symbol of this exploitation denying responsibility while continuing to profit from the very people they refuse to pay.
What makes this even worse is that many creatives stay silent, fearing backlash or lost opportunities. Oyier’s decision to take legal action is rare, and it speaks volumes about the imbalance of power.
This isn’t just his fight, it’s a fight for every creative professional who has ever been undervalued. Safaricom has a chance to do the right thing admit fault, pay what’s owed, and set a better standard.
But if they choose to hide behind lawyers and technicalities, it will only prove how little they truly value the people behind their success.
