In a provocative statement that has ignited widespread debate, Wajir Senator Abass Sheikh has called for a complete ban on WhatsApp, TikTok, and all social media platforms in Kenya, citing their alleged role in fueling unrest and misinformation.
The senator made the remarks during a public address in Wajir County on Thursday, June 12, 2025, amid ongoing protests sparked by the death of political blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody.
Speaking to a gathering of local leaders and residents, Senator Sheikh argued that social media platforms have become tools for inciting violence and spreading false narratives, particularly among the youth.
“WhatsApp, TikTok, and all social media should be banned in Kenya,” he declared, claiming that these platforms are undermining national security and destabilizing the country.
He pointed to recent protests in Nairobi, where videos and posts on X and TikTok amplified allegations of police brutality and government-sponsored abductions, as evidence of their “destructive influence.”
The senator’s comments come at a time of heightened tension, with Gen Z-led demonstrations demanding justice for Ojwang and accountability for alleged extrajudicial killings.
People have linked the unrest to coordinated efforts by government-aligned groups to discredit protesters, further fueling public distrust. Sheikh’s call for a social media ban has drawn sharp criticism from activists, who argue it is an attempt to suppress free speech and silence dissent.
“Banning social media is a desperate move to control the narrative and hide the truth about state abuses,” said a Nairobi-based human rights advocate on X.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has warned that such a ban would violate constitutional protections on freedom of expression.
Similar proposals in the past, including restrictions on social media during the 2024 #RejectFinanceBill protests, were met with fierce resistance and legal challenges.
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has not commented on Sheikh’s proposal, but experts note that implementing a nationwide ban would face significant technical and legal hurdles.
As the debate rages, civil society groups have urged the government to focus on addressing the root causes of unrest rather than targeting platforms used by millions of Kenyans.
The senator’s remarks have added fuel to an already volatile situation, with many awaiting the government’s response to growing calls for transparency and justice.