Safaricom denies involvement in arrest of late blogger Albert Omondi
CEO Peter Ndegwa says at no time was there any contact between Safaricom and any security agency
Safaricom has distanced himself from claims by Opposition leaders that it provides location data of persons targeted by security agencies thus aiding their abduction and extra-judicial killing, including that of blogger and teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang.
In a statement, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said that at no time was there any contact between Safaricom and any security agency in investigating or arresting the late Omondi.
Ndegwa added that they became aware of his death through media reports and are disturbed and concerned by remarks by former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, who read a joint statement by Opposition leaders, linking the telco to the unfortunate incident.
On Wednesday, the Opposition claimed Safaricom of allegedly being complicit and a facilitator in the tracing and abduction of Kenyans who have either ended up dead or maimed in the hands of police.
“We want to issue a direct warning that this amounts to aiding and abetting of the commission of these crimes against humanity for which Kenyans will hold Safaricom responsible and, either take appropriate legal action or boycott their services,” they said during a press conference in Nairobi.
Apart from Muturi, the leader of the Democratic Party, others present included former Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-Kenya) and Jubilee chairman Torome Saitoti.
In his statement, Ndegwa asked Kenyans to ignore attempts to incite them and remain firm in demanding accountability through transparent investigations.
“We also ask our leaders to demand a credible, transparent and timely investigation that will bring the perpetrators to justice and give the family and Kenyans the answers they are looking for,” he said.
“We once again send our condolences to the family and friends of the late Albert and wish to reassure all Kenyans that we have always been safe and secure their data, and we will continue to do so now and in the future,” he added.
At the same time, the Communications Authority of Kenya also denied involvement in the investigation and arrest of Omondi.
Reacting to social media posts alleging that it provided information that it provided data on the whereabouts of the late Omondi to law enforcement, CA said they were factually erroneous and distanced itself from any involvement whatsoever on the matter.
“CA is a regulator and does NOT have access to real-time location data of mobile subscribers. Further, the authority does not initiate, direct, or participate in the operational use of date by our licensees,” it said.
“Any request for data from law enforcement agencies is governed by strict legal provisions that include judicial oversight and is limited to instances where there is a valid court order or lawful request as per the law,” CA added.
While appearing before the Senate yesterday, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, however, revealed that they contacted CA to get registration details and posts relating to two X accounts belonging to Omondi and Kevin Moinde, the other blogger arrested but released after Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga declined to approve charges levelled against him for lack of sufficient evidence on Monday, a day after Omondi’s death.
They two and three others are alleged to have been targeted after Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat complained that they were tarnishing his name.
This was in relation to a post alleging he was under investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over corruption.
