Most Kenyans rely on digital media for news and not TVs and newspapers, CS Kindiki tells MPs

NAIROBI—While appearing before the the National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee on Thursday, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior Prof Kithure Kindiki stated that most Kenyans heavily rely on digital media as their primary source of information and not traditional outlets like TVs and newspapers.

The CS went further and said that it would be premature to ban TikTok in Kenya without taking into account the perspectives of the owners and potential impacts on users.

“I don’t think we’re in a position to declare the dangers outweigh the benefits. It’s a bit premature. We should work out a program where we have a policy that is evidence-based to assess whether the risks are more prominent than the benefits,” Kindiki added.

Last year, a petitioner called on Members of Parliament to ban the use of TikTok saying it is a contributor to erosion of cultural and religious morals in the society.

The Executive Officer of Bridget Connect Consultancy Bob Ndolo in a petition to the National Assembly, called on MPs to move with speed and ban the use of TikTok in the country as it is exposing young people to explicit sexual content.