Safaricom PLC is facing mounting criticism after Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei linked the telecommunications giant to the ongoing wave of abductions in Kenya.
Cherargei pointed out a disturbing pattern: many of those abducted are Safaricom users, raising questions about the company’s potential role in these disappearances.
“Is it just a coincidence that all abductees are users of Safaricom lines?” Cherargei asked, reigniting debate about Safaricom’s alleged practice of sharing call records and data with rogue police officers.
Nandi senator Hon Samson Cherargei issuing press statement outside Bunge Towers. Photo: Tuko Source: Instagram
Victims reportedly targeted using such data have either disappeared without a trace, been found dead, or, if they resurface, remain deeply traumatized.
The situation becomes even more alarming when the profiles of the abductees are examined. Recently, Kenyans have witnessed the abduction of social media users for what many consider flimsy reasons, such as posting content critical of the government.
For instance, Peter Muteti Njeru was abducted in Uthiru, Nairobi, while Kavuli Benard, a media personality, was kidnapped in Ngong Town. Billy Mwangi was taken in Embu, and most recently, Naomi and a Twitter user known as Bull Kibet have also disappeared.
Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom, Kenya’s leading communications company in Africa, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), speaks during an interview with AFP at the company’s headquarters in Nairobi on Septemer 11, 2020. – Safaricom is also the pioneer of M-PESA, the world’s most developed payment system. (Photo by Simon MAINA / AFP) (Photo by SIMON MAINA/AFP via Getty Images)
Bull Kibet, a vocal critic of President William Ruto, gained attention for creating silhouettes and images mocking the administration, such as depicting Ruto dancing with money to highlight alleged looting of taxpayer funds.
Another social media user faced abduction for posting an AI-generated image of Ruto lying in a coffin. Notably, all those who have gone missing are active influencers on X (formerly Twitter).
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa. Source: Facebook
These incidents, combined with Safaricom’s unexplained nationwide network outage during anti-Finance Bill protests on June 25, have fueled public suspicion about the company’s potential complicity.
As the calls for accountability grow louder, Safaricom remains silent, further eroding public trust in one of Kenya’s largest corporations.
