Lobby groups have accused Safaricom of unlawfully sharing customer data with government agencies, a move the commission claims may have contributed to enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and illegal renditions.
In a strongly worded joint statement, human rights groups said: “The unholy alliance between Safaricom and the government must stop.”
They added that corporations continue to violate human rights with near-total impunity, citing Safaricom’s alleged role in providing location data to law enforcement during controversial operations.
“This brazen violation of privacy has had a chilling effect on civic space and has endangered the lives of many innocent Kenyans,” they stated.
The groups also raised concerns about the continued shrinking of democratic space in Kenya, saying the government has failed to operationalize key legal frameworks.
Despite the Public Benefit Organizations (PBO) Act coming into force in May 2024, KHRC noted that implementation has stalled due to the lack of regulations and financial support.
Over 2,800 PBOs have been deregistered, further limiting independent civil society work.
Legislative threats are also looming. KHRC warned that the controversial Assemblies and Demonstration Bill is likely to be passed in its current restrictive form in 2025.
The Whistleblower Protection Bill remains stuck in Parliament, while the 2024 amendments to the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act have increased state surveillance on digital platforms.
Media freedom has also come under fire. Since the protests in June 2024, journalists have been attacked and equipment destroyed while covering demonstrations.
In 2025, the government reportedly withdrew advertising from media houses critical of the administration, a move that lobby groups say threatens press freedom and public access to information.
Oversight institutions, according to them, are facing serious interference.
Budget cuts, politically influenced appointments, and delayed confirmations have crippled bodies mandated to protect democracy and accountability.
The attempted removal of Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu following her reports of financial irregularities was cited as an example of how the government is targeting watchdogs.
They concluded by warning of an ongoing crackdown on dissent, with whistleblowers and human rights defenders facing threats, surveillance, and abductions.
It urged urgent reforms and accountability, especially from powerful corporate entities such as Safaricom.
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