Kenyan influencers sever ties with Safaricom amid Finance Bill backlash

Kenyan Influencers sever ties with Safaricom amid Finance Bill backlash. (Courtesy)

Kenyan influencers have publicly severed ties with Safaricom, citing their objection to the company's stance on the Finance Bill 2024.

The influencers took to social media to express their disappointment with Safaricom, accusing the telecom giant of siding with authorities during recent civil unrest.

Mike Muchiri, a long-time influencer for Safaricom, declared, "I’ve been an influencer for @SafaricomPLC for the longest time. I am cutting all ties with them. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to associate myself with a brand that has turned its back on the very people it should support. #RejectFinanceBill2024"

Magunga, who had been loyal to Safaricom for over a decade, expressed deep regret in his tweet, stating, "It is a tough decision for me since I have been loyal to @SafaricomPLC for over ten years. But after what you guys did yesterday, I am ashamed to be associated. Our lives, our sovereignty are greater than your paycheck."

Similarly, Kimanzi stated, "I am a Kenyan first before anything else. @SafaricomPLC sided with the oppressors and that led to mass killings & abductions. Is it right to work with such a brand? No bag is bigger than human life."

Shoba Gatimu echoed these sentiments, declaring, "I refuse to work with a company that throws us to the wolves, helping the govt track down and massacre Kenyans demonstrating for their rights. I will not work with betrayers."

Dennis Ombachi joined in, stating, "As for the green army on Waiyaki Way, I won’t be working with you as you’re values and mine are not aligned! #RejectFinanceBill2024.”

Adelle Onyango expressed solidarity with Ombachi, saying, "I salute you @ombachi13 and join you in boycotting the green army who can fix undersea cables in hours."

Kenyan actress Kate Actress also took her stand: “Silence is betrayal! I will no longer be working with @safaricomplc_ as an inlfuencer, not on our departed brother’s blood.”

The influencers' boycott follows widespread criticism of Safaricom's involvement in recent internet shutdowns and alleged cooperation with government authorities, which escalated tensions during protests over the Finance Bill 2024.

In response to the criticism, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa addressed the outage and the Finance Bill controversy.

He apologised for the network disruption, attributing it to reduced bandwidth on international cables, affecting multiple telecom providers.

“I want to start by sincerely apologising for the network outage that started on June 25, 2024. This outage was occasioned by reduced bandwidth on some cables that carry internet traffic.

“Please note that this did not only affect Safaricom but also affected the whole industry. We are doing everything to ensure that we give you the service that you deserve,” he said.

Regarding the Finance Bill, Ndegwa clarified that Safaricom participated in public consultations and denied allegations of sharing private customer data with authorities.

“Safaricom does not disclose customer information or their location. We adhere to the laws of the land in terms of data privacy and we will continue to do so.

“We are deeply rooted in Kenyan society and we believe in the resilience of Kenyan people,” he said.