Kenyans have reacted to a warning issued by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) over sharing contacts of government officials including MPs without consent.
Moments after the statement issued by the Commissioner, some social media users shared her contacts in a campaign to spam her phone with messages and calls concerning the warning.
Some users in their comments argued that Members of Parliament are supposed to serve the people and that they were only keeping them accountable.
“As long as MPs are our employees, there exists a master servant relationship. This contract obligates the parties to process personal data for accountability purposes and as a matter of public interest,” X User Mosirigwa said.
Also Read: Govt Warns Kenyans Sharing Phone Numbers on Social Media, Asks Victims to Report
Arguments Made by Kenyans for Defying the Warning
At the same time, others referenced reports stating that the Finance Bill will allow the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) access to personal data, arguing that the commissioner should prioritize addressing that concern.
“When KRA is being authorized to have access, our personal data why didn’t they quote article 31. Has our personal data been sold to Bill Gate,” said user I am Karamu.
“When telcos share our personal numbers with betting companies to send us unsolicited messages – you are silent. While telcos collude with KRA to share our personal numbers for them to snoop into our MPESA messages – you are silent.”
“And when telcos collude with mobile money lenders to share our personal numbers for them to harass our relatives with threatening calls – you are silent,” added X user Gabriel Oguda.
The warning was sent out as MPs continued to debate the Finance Bill 2024 proposals in parliament.
During the session, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah raised an alarm over the matter, lamenting that many members had suffered from the constant phone calls and messages.
“I know many of these members including myself we have suffered a lot of harassment. I was asking the leader of minority whether he has suffered the same and he told me his phone is worse. Many of these Members of Parliament, you cannot reach them on their phones, they have blocked their phones including WhatsApp,” said Kimani Ichung’wah.
Also, National Assembly Finance Committee Chair Kuria Kimani revealed that he had received Ksh168,000 from Kenyans after his contact was leaked.
Also Read: Kenyans Spam MPs Mobile Numbers to Reject Finance Bill 2024
Gen Z Protesting for TikTok Content
On the other hand, Kitui South MP Rachel Nyamai opined that that young Kenyans protesting against the oppressive Bill were only doing so for TikTok likes and views and not because they genuinely cared about the Bill.
Speaking while contributing to the debate in the plenary session, Nyamai argued that the Finance Act 2023 had already borne fruits. According to her, Kenya was ranked the 27th fastest-growing country in the world by the Financial Times which was a testament to the benefits of the Finance Bill 2024.
In her response, MP Milly Odhiambo stated that the youth had to protest against the Bill because it was affecting their sources of income including content creation on TikTok.
“I want to thank Rachel Nyamai who actually said that one of the ladies who she sponsors her education told her that she was protesting for TikTok content. And we do not seem to understand how it relates to this tax. If you are taxing digital content they will be affected.
“They are doing that because there are no jobs and are getting creative. We want to kill the industry that is helping the young people. That is why Gen Zs were on the streets and I am so thrilled that I was shown a photo of a young girl who looks like me,” she said.
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