Safaricom, Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, has recently faced several controversies that have tarnished its reputation.
According to our previous exposes, these issues range from internal fraud and data privacy breaches to allegations of suppressing media freedom and mishandling customer information.
In the fiscal year ending March 2023, Safaricom dismissed 33 employees for fraud-related offenses, marking a significant increase from the previous year.
These dismissals highlight ongoing challenges within the company regarding internal controls and ethical standards.
Safaricom has also been accused of sharing customer information with security agencies without proper legal procedures.
Reports suggest that the company provided call detail records to authorities, facilitating the tracking and abduction of individuals without valid court orders.
These actions have raised serious concerns about the company’s commitment to protecting user privacy and adhering to data protection laws.
In response to investigative reports by the Nation Media Group detailing these privacy violations, Safaricom allegedly exerted pressure on the media outlet.
The company is reported to have threatened legal action and suspended advertising contracts with the group, actions perceived as attempts to suppress journalistic freedom and critical reporting.
Furthermore, Safaricom has been implicated in cases of SIM card fraud. In one instance, a company employee was charged with fraud for allegedly stealing over KSh 29.5 million from the National Police Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization.
Such incidents underscore vulnerabilities in Safaricom’s systems and raise questions about its ability to safeguard customer funds.
The company has also faced legal challenges from customers who suffered financial losses due to delayed responses in disabling compromised SIM cards.
In a notable case, the High Court held Safaricom liable for a customer’s loss of KES 751,680, emphasizing the company’s responsibility to act promptly in protecting user accounts.
Additionally, Safaricom has been accused of restricting internet access during periods of civil unrest.
Kenyan celebrities and social media influencers alleged that the company deliberately disrupted communications during protests against proposed tax hikes, actions that, would indicate a troubling complicity in suppressing public dissent.
These controversies have prompted scrutiny from various stakeholders, including lawmakers and civil society organizations.
Members of Parliament have accused Safaricom of breaching confidential subscriber data and aiding state agents in tracking citizens, while rights groups have demanded transparency and accountability from the company regarding its data-sharing practices.
Safaricom’s reputation as a trusted telecommunications provider has been called into question.
The company faces mounting pressure to address internal fraud, uphold data privacy, respect media freedom, and ensure the security of its customers’ information.
Failure to effectively tackle these challenges could lead to further erosion of public trust and potential legal repercussions.
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