Kenyans may soon start paying for TikTok services after the company announced plans to launch a subscription model in the country.
TikTok director of government relations and public policy in Sub-Saharan Africa, Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda made the announcement on Wednesday December 6, adding that they were installing firewalls around the content to allow subscription.
“In terms of some of the features we have launched, the TikTok Series which allows them (content creators) to put their content around firewalls and have people subscribe,” he stated.
At the same time, the popular entertainment giant noted that the move was to control the content consumed by the general public.
“It is not yet in full force in Kenya as it is in other African countries. But that is something that we are working very hard on to make sure that we can roll it out here so that we can address some of the concerns that the Kenyan government has raised with us,” he added.
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Mgwili-Sibanda was speaking during the launch of TikTok’s partnership with Yunus Social Business (YSB), an arrangement that aims to invest financially in selected social enterprises, while providing others with training and mentorship on branding, sales, e-commerce and using digital platforms for business success.
TikTok Woes
The National Assembly received a petition to investigate the use of TikTok after demanding it be banned for promoting “violence, explicit sexual content, hate speech, vulgar language and offensive behavior.”
Notably, the petition was submitted in the parliament in August 16 by Kenyan citizen Bob Ndolo who asked Members of Parliament to consider outlawing the social application.
According to the petitioner, the app poses a challenge to the fundamental cultural and religious values of Kenya.
Also Read: TikTok Mulls Introducing Monthly Charges for Select Users
However, lawmakers such as Kimani Ichung’wah, the majority leader in parliament, advocated for a different approach.
Rather than an outright ban, they proposed more rigorous content oversight on the platform.
Furthermore, the petition to ban the app in Kenya sparked conversation on the delicate balancing act between technological advancement, cultural preservation, and the social effects of the digital realm.
However, in September 27, appearing before the parliament Ndolo changed his tune on complete ban of the app noting that he had been contacted by many users who noted that complete ban would be harm to them.
On his part President William Ruto in a virtual meeting, with the TikTok Chief Executive Officer Shou Zi Chew, agreed on regulating the content to fit the community standards.
