Safaricom Accused Of Harassing The Media and Civil Rights Groups In Surveillance Case

The Civic Freedoms Forum (CFF) expresses deep concern over Safaricom’s apparent strategy of using legal threats and punitive measures against the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI), Nation Media Group, and individual journalists. These actions are seen as efforts to suppress further reporting on Safaricom’s alleged complicity in state abuses.

Recent Developments

On October 29, an investigation by Nationinvestigation by Nation revealed that Safaricom might have unlawfully provided customer location data to law enforcement, potentially aiding in operations involving enforced disappearances, rendition, and extrajudicial killings.

Despite these serious allegations, Safaricom has not addressed the claims directly but instead has resorted to legal threats against Nation Media Group and journalists Namir Shabibi, Claire Lauterbach, Daniel Ogetta, Kepha Muiruri, and Evans Jaola.

On November 12, Safaricom retaliated further by suspending all advertisements with Nation Media Group, perceived as punishment for their investigative journalism.

Following this, KHRC and MUHURI wrote to Safaricom on November 14, demanding responses to the allegations. Safaricom responded on November 18 not with answers but with threats, demanding that KHRC and MUHURI cease public commentary on the issue and remove related content from social media.

CFF’s Stance:

These actions by Safaricom are clear examples of Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP), aimed at silencing dissent and avoiding accountability.

Safaricom’s portrayal as a victim in this scenario is both manipulative and unfounded. The real victims are the Kenyan public, who deserve transparency and accountability from Safaricom.

CFF strongly condemns the use of SLAPP suits by corporations to stifle criticism.

Demands and Solidarity:

CFF demands that Safaricom engage with the allegations raised by KHRC, MUHURI, and reported by Daily Nation.

CFF calls on Safaricom’s parent company, Vodafone Group, to break their silence, apologize to the journalists and media group, and initiate a transparent investigation into these allegations.

CFF stands firmly with KHRC, MUHURI, Nation Media Group, and the journalists at the forefront of this issue, promising not to be intimidated into silence.

CFF will continue to monitor and speak out on these matters, encouraging Nation Media Group to uphold its commitment to fearless journalism and support its journalists against such intimidation.