As the Communications Authority reviews Airtel’s landmark direct-to-cell application, the Kenyan telecom market is gripped by a battle that is simultaneously commercial, regulatory and deeply political. At its centre: a dominant incumbent, a satellite disruptor, and a state that wants visibility over every byte of data its citizens send.
KANU Spokesman Tony Gachoka and activist Prof. Fredrick Ogola go to war in the High Court, accusing President Ruto’s administration of orchestrating a secret, non-competitive sellout of Kenya’s most critical national asset — with Vodacom allegedly a willing accomplice. The prize at stake: control of Safaricom, M-Pesa, and the private data of 38 million Kenyans.
Under the contract’s payment structure, the monthly disbursements will progressively increase from Sh500 million to a peak of Sh1.065 billion between 2028 and 2032 – representing one of the most lucrative government contracts in Kenya’s history.
The controversy stems from an explosive investigative report published by NMG in October 2024, which revealed how Safaricom routinely provides security agencies with access to suspects’ personal data.
“In targeting journalists and civil society, Safaricom’s rhetoric has been exposed for what it is: perfidy, hypocrisy, double standards, and bullying.”
Telecommunications giant Safaricom is under fire following allegations of using intimidation tactics against Nation Media Group (NMG) in the wake of an investigative story published on October 29. The story accused the company of collaborating with State security agencies to conduct widespread surveillance on Kenyans, granting them virtually unlimited access to customer data. This alleged […]
The overall satellite internet subscriptions in the country grew monumentally during the year from 405 as of June last year to 8,324 at the end of the review period.
As Kenyan transitions its healthcare system from the National Health Insurance Fund to the Social Health Authority (SHA), including the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and Healthcare Fund, a staggering deal worth hundreds of billions is unfolding, with a web of elites poised to reap the benefits. Among those set to profit are President , […]
A company associated with a wealthy city lawyer has sought to join a case seeking to stop Safaricom and industry regulator from blocking Starlink from entering the Kenyan market by providing satellite internet services. Goodweek Inter-Services limited want to be enjoined in the case filed by Kituo Cha Sheria as an interested party. The company […]
Members of Parliament have expressed concerns regarding the Ministry of Health’s procurement process for the Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHTS), a key component of the Universal Health Program. The contract, valued at Ksh 104.8 billion (including taxes), is set to be implemented over 12 years, with Safaricom PLC as the lead partner in the […]
