Dont ban TikTok, regulate it, says Keiyo South MP Gideon Kimaiyo
By Freya WanjikuKeiyo South MP Gideon Kimaiyo has opined that TikTok should not be banned but regulated.
Sharing his sentiments regarding the petition by Bob Ndolo to ban TikTok usage in Kenya, the lawmaker said that banning the social media platform would affect the youth who were making a livelihood from the Chinese application.
However, Kimaiyo suggested that instead of completely banning the use of TikTok, parliamentarians and all stakeholders should work on responsible use of the platform.
He tweeted, “Addressing the TikTok petition by Bob Ndolo: While I don’t stand with an outright ban on TikTok, I do believe in regulation. TikTok has become a source of livelihood for many young Kenyans, making a ban a treacherous path to tread. Let’s work on responsible usage rather than a complete halt.”
Addressing the TikTok petition by Bob Ndolo : While I don't stand with an outright ban on TikTok, I do believe in regulation. TikTok has become a source of livelihood for many young Kenyans, making a ban a treacherous path to tread. Let's work on responsible usage rather than a…
— Hon Gideon Kimaiyo (@GideonKimaiyo_) August 16, 2023
On August 15, 2023, Moses Wetangula the National Assembly speaker said he received a petition from Ben Ndolo, an executive officer of the Bridget Connect Consultancy concerning the use of TikTok in Kenya.
Mr Ndolo decried that while TikTok has gained popularity among the youth in Kenya, the content that is being shared is inappropriate and thus promotes violence, vulgar language, explicit sexual content, hate speech, and offensive behaviour which is a serious threat to the cultural and religious values in Kenya.
“If the app is not banned in Kenya, TikTok’s addictive nature would lead to a decline in academic performance, and lead to mental health issues, depression, anxiety, and sleep deprivation among the youth. The petitioner wants the house to intervene, and take immediate action and safeguard Kenyans from TikTok’s negative effects,” read the petition.
In the recent past, there has been an uproar amongst Kenyans, especially on the X platform over the promotion of adult content from midnight to the wee hours of the night on TikTok.
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