Safaricom Denies Sharing Data as Ojwang Death Sparks Surveillance Concerns
Safaricom has firmly denied allegations that it helped police track Albert Omondi Ojwang, who later died in custody. The claims came from former Attorney General Justin Muturi, who said that police used Safaricom’s systems to locate and arrest Ojwang.
“DCI OFFICERS CAN NOW PINPOINT YOUR EXACT LOCATION… THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY SON,”
Muturi said in a viral image shared by Channel 7 News Kenya (source).
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa issued a direct rebuttal:
“WE DID NOT SHARE ANY INFORMATION WITH THE DCI. WE FIRST LEARNED OF THE MATTER THROUGH THE MEDIA. SAFARICOM REMAINS COMMITTED TO CUSTOMER PRIVACY.”
Despite the denial, Ojwang’s death has reignited public fears that telcos and mobile money services might expose citizens to surveillance.
M-Pesa and KPLC Token Purchases Could Reveal Your Location
Muturi raised further alarm by claiming that purchasing KPLC electricity tokens via M-Pesa helps police identify a user’s home address. This happens through:
- M-Pesa accounts linking to national IDs
- Token payments recording KPLC meter numbers
- Meter numbers matching physical home locations
If law enforcement can access this data without warrants, it enables tracking citizens without oversight. Digital rights groups, including ARTICLE 19 and Privacy International, warn that such centralized digital systems are ripe for abuse—especially in politically sensitive cases.
What the Law Allows—and Where It Falls Short
Kenya’s Data Protection Act (2019) gives telcos clear limits on data sharing. They may only release personal information if:
- A valid court order is presented
- A legal national security request is made
However, enforcement remains patchy. A Mozilla Foundation 2022 report found that vague national security laws often allow authorities to bypass safeguards. Informal data-sharing practices persist, with little transparency.
Safaricom Calls for Transparent Investigation
In its official statement, Safaricom urged government agencies to launch a credible and timely investigation into Ojwang’s death. The company emphasized its commitment to privacy and stressed the importance of maintaining public trust in Kenya’s digital ecosystem.
Public Outrage Sparks Demands for Accountability
The case has triggered widespread outrage and renewed demands for reform. Kenyans are pushing for:
- A parliamentary inquiry into state access to user data
- Independent audits of telecom and utility companies
- Transparent data-sharing reports from Safaricom, KPLC, and similar entities
These concerns echo past events. In 2021, the Senate ICT Committee questioned Safaricom about alleged privacy breaches and its relationship with government agencies.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call on Digital Rights
The tragic death of Albert Ojwang, officially ruled a murder, has become a turning point in Kenya’s digital surveillance debate. While Safaricom denies any involvement, the case exposes serious risks in how state actors might exploit private data from telecom, utility, and financial systems.
As mobile phones become gateways to personal identity, payments, and location data, the stakes rise. Whether you’re paying for power or making a call, your digital life leaves a trail.
To protect user privacy, both government and private companies must strengthen transparency, legal safeguards, and accountability. Your phone isn’t just a communication tool—it’s a mirror into your life.
