CS KINDIKI REVEALS THE GOVERNMENT'S STAND ON TIKTOK'S PROHIBITION.

According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, TikTok has received a message from the government expressing displeasure with their adherence to Kenyan legislation.

Speaking Thursday before the Public Petitions Committee, the CS emphasized that the TikTok corporation needs to reply to the letter that Kidiki indicated might result in administrative action from the ministry if it doesn't.

The CS went on to state that it would be premature to outright ban TikTok in Kenya without considering the owners' points of view and the possible effects on users.

"I don't think we can say that the risks are greater than the advantages. It's a little early. Kindiki continued, "We should develop a program with an evidence-based policy to determine whether the dangers outweigh the benefits.

The CS stated that before taking such a severe step as a local ban on the site, a comprehensive review is required to weigh the benefits and hazards.

"What we're doing now is required by law as a procedural step. He continued, "The government will take administrative action, and there is a procedure that includes listening to those affected," regardless of the measures used.

A petitioner from last year urged MPs to outlaw TikTok use, claiming it is a factor in the decline of religious and cultural values in society.

In a petition submitted to the National Assembly, Bob Ndolo, the Executive Officer of Bridget Connect Consultancy, urged lawmakers to act quickly to outlaw TikTok usage nationwide since it exposes children to explicit sexual content.

While the application has become more and more popular among young people, the petitioner expressed disapproval over the inappropriate content being shared on the platform, which promotes violence, explicit sexual content, hate speech, vulgar language, and offensive behaviors. The petitioner further claimed that this poses a serious threat to cultural and religious values.

President William Ruto announced the removal of abusive or improper content from the TikTok short-form video website one day after the petition was submitted.

This came about during a virtual meeting between Ruto and Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of the platform.

It was decided at the conference that TikTok will cooperate with the authorities in examining and keeping an eye on its content.

According to Ruto, the action will guarantee that the platform material complies with established standards.

"This new development means that inappropriate or offensive content will be expunged from the platform," he stated.

Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok, pledged to make sure that content is filtered to meet community standards.

To manage its operations in Kenya and throughout Africa, he also consented to open an office there.

He promised to bring on more Kenyan employees for the platform, according to a State House statement.