Petition to TikTok and Teleperformance: Address Censorship Bias and Suppression of Dissent in Kenya

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Petition to TikTok and Teleperformance: Address Censorship Bias and Suppression of Dissent in Kenya

To: TikTok Global Community Team
Cc: Teleperformance Kenya Fact-Checking Affiliate

Date: June 13, 2025

Subject: Urgent Demand to End Censorship of Dissenting Voices and Address Promotion of Fear-Mongering Content

I, Francis Gaitho, a concerned Kenyan citizen and active user of TikTok, write to you with a heavy heart to address a grave injustice perpetuated by your platform and its Kenyan fact-checking affiliate, Teleperformance. Your policies and practices are complicit in stifling dissent while amplifying content designed to manufacture anxiety, spread tension, evoke fear, and demobilize legitimate protests, particularly amid Kenya’s ongoing socio-political struggles.

This petition demands immediate action to uphold the principles of free expression enshrined in both local and international laws, especially in the wake of the brutal murder of blogger Albert Ojwang and the escalating systematic suppression of dissent.

Context of the Brutal Murder of Albert Ojwang

The recent savage murder of blogger Albert Ojwang, a fearless voice who exposed government corruption and human rights abuses, serves as a chilling testament to the lengths to which the Kenyan regime will go to silence dissent. His killing, widely believed to be state-sponsored, has sparked the #JusticeForAlbertOjwang movement, galvanizing public outrage and demands for accountability.

This heinous act underscores the dire need for platforms like TikTok to protect, rather than suppress, those who dare to speak out. The absence of justice for Ojwang signals a broader campaign of intimidation, making free speech more critical now than ever to prevent further atrocities.

Evidence of Systematic Suppression of Dissent

It is evident that TikTok, in collaboration with Teleperformance, systematically targets and silences voices critical of the Kenyan government. Independent creators like Dusty Sahara (No Country Here), who bravely speak truth to power, face unjust bans and account suspensions.

My own original account, @FrancisGaitho, was also banned for no other reason than speaking truth to power and being so good at it, effectively erasing my ability to mobilize and inform the public.

This selective censorship disproportionately affects individuals exposing government overreach, corruption, and human rights abuses, suggesting a deliberate effort to protect the ruling regime.

Meanwhile, accounts like Online Community Kenya (OKE) on TikTok and YouTube, recognized as tools of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Ministry of Interior under PS Raymond Omollo, are permitted to thrive, promoting state-backed violent counter-protest strategies with grotesque imagery of vandalism, looting, and arson.

During such incidents, police- typically ever-present and watchful around genuine demonstrators – are conspicuously absent, pointing to orchestrated chaos.

The partnership between Teleperformance and government operatives like Ole Itumbi further implicates your platform in this suppression.

Why Free Speech is Critical Now More Than Ever

In the shadow of Albert Ojwang’s murder and the systematic silencing of dissent, free speech is the lifeline of democracy in Kenya. It empowers citizens to hold leaders accountable, expose injustices, and mobilize for change, as seen in the #OccupyStatehouse2025 and #RutoMustGo movements.

Suppressing these voices not only betrays the public trust but also emboldens a regime willing to kill to maintain power. International and local laws affirm this right, and its protection is urgent to prevent further erosion of our freedoms and to honor those like Ojwang who paid the ultimate price.

Legal Framework Violated

This double standard contravenes both local and international laws protecting freedom of speech:

• Constitution of Kenya (2010), Article 33: Guarantees every person the right to freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to seek, receive, or impart information or ideas, subject only to limited restrictions necessary in a democratic society. The censorship of dissenting voices like mine and Dusty Sahara breaches this right.
• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 19: Recognized under Kenyan law through ratification, this article protects the right to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media, regardless of frontiers. TikTok’s actions, influenced by Teleperformance, violate this global standard.
• African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Article 9: Affirms the right to receive information and express opinions within the law, a principle Kenya is bound to uphold. The promotion of fear-mongering content while silencing dissent is a direct affront to this charter.

Hypocrisy and Complicity

The irony is undeniable: truth-tellers like myself are silenced while content crafted to destabilize Kenya’s democratic aspirations flourishes. This hypocrisy marks TikTok and Teleperformance as guilty of suppressing dissent to serve the Kenyan government’s agenda, endangering lives and livelihoods in the wake of Ojwang’s murder.

Demands for Action

I demand the following immediate actions to restore integrity to your platform:

1. Reinstate Banned Accounts: Immediately restore the accounts of censored creators like Dusty Sahara, my @FrancisGaitho account, and others unfairly targeted for dissenting content.
2. Investigate and Remove Propaganda: Conduct a thorough investigation into accounts like Online Community Kenya (OKE) and remove content that incites fear, promotes violence, or undermines protests, holding Teleperformance accountable for its role in fact-checking failures.
3. Transparent Moderation Policies: Publish a detailed report on content moderation practices in Kenya, including Teleperformance’s criteria, to ensure transparency and prevent state influence.
4. Protect Dissent: Implement safeguards to protect dissenting voices, ensuring fact-checking does not become a tool for government censorship, and engage independent Kenyan civil society groups in the process.
5. Public Accountability: Establish a public grievance mechanism where users can appeal censorship decisions and receive clear justifications, free from political interference.

Call to Action

This petition is my rallying cry for justice and freedom of expression. I urge TikTok and Teleperformance to cease complicity in suppressing dissent and address the vitality of content designed to undermine Kenya’s democratic aspirations, especially after Ojwang’s murder.

The Gen Z movement and the voices of millions depend on a platform that upholds truth over tyranny. I call on all users to report and unfollow accounts like OKE, to pressure you into action, and to stand with me in demanding a digital space that reflects the will of the people, not the whims of a desperate regime.

Signatory:
Francis Gaitho

#OccupyStatehouse2025

#JusticeForAlbertOjwang

#RutoMustGoNow

#RutoMustGo

#FreeTikTokKenya

#EndCensorship

This petition will be circulated widely across social media platforms and submitted to TikTok’s support channels and Teleperformance’s Kenyan office.

I await your prompt response and corrective action.

Sincerely,
Francis Gaitho.