Jalang'o speaks on petition seeking to ban TikTok

By Peter Ochieng

Lang'ata Member of Parliament (MP) Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o has expressed reservations against an attempt to ban popular social media platform, TikTok in the country.

This week, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula recieved a petition from Bob Ndolo, Bridget Connect Consultancy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), seeking to ban the application.

Ndolo, in his petition argues that the explicit content in TikTok promotes violence, sex, hate speech and vulgarity which undermines the cultural and religious values of Kenyans.

“The petition decries that while it has gained popularity among the youths in Kenya, the content that is being shared on the platform is inappropriate thus promoting violence, explicit sexual content, hate speech, vulgar language, and offensive behavior which is a serious threat to the cultural and religious views of Kenya," Wetang'ula read the petition in part.

During an interview on K24 TV on Friday, Jalang'o said many young people are using the App to make money, and good money for that matter.

"Don't ban Tik Tok. The young people in their thousands believe that Tik Tok is where they are making their money," said the first term MP.

He said corporates now know the power of social media, and are putting money into it.

"Corporates have noticed this and are putting money into social media including TikTok and it proves that it can be used also for professional matters."

Speaker Wetang'ula directed the National Assembly's Public Petitions Committee, to consider the petition and report its findings.