A recent documentary released by Al Jazeera has triggered widespread concern among Kenyans after exposing allegations that citizens are being monitored through their mobile phones, with telecommunications giant Safaricom accused of potentially facilitating the surveillance.
According to the documentary, phone data belonging to ordinary Kenyans has allegedly been shared with security agencies, while sophisticated spyware tools have reportedly been used to infiltrate devices and monitor private communications.
The revelations have raised serious questions about digital privacy, freedom of expression, and the safety of personal information in Kenya’s rapidly growing digital space.
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For millions of Kenyans, mobile phones are deeply integrated into daily life.
From M-Pesa transactions and phone calls to WhatsApp conversations and social media activity, smartphones have become essential tools for communication and financial transactions.
However, the documentary suggests that the same devices people rely on every day could allegedly be transformed into surveillance tools capable of tracking conversations, movements, and online activity.
The allegations have sparked fears among citizens, journalists, activists, and civil society groups, many of whom now worry that criticism of the government could place individuals under watch.
Observers argue that the issue goes beyond politics and directly affects ordinary Kenyans, including boda boda riders expressing frustrations over taxes, journalists investigating corruption, university students speaking out online, and citizens discussing the state of the economy in private WhatsApp groups.
Human rights advocates have warned that unchecked surveillance could create an atmosphere of fear similar to the one experienced during the era of former President Daniel arap Moi, when many citizens reportedly feared speaking openly due to concerns about state monitoring.
Critics now argue that modern technology has made surveillance even more intrusive, with mobile phones allegedly becoming the new channel through which citizens could be tracked and monitored.
The controversy has also intensified debate around the protection of constitutional freedoms, including the right to privacy and freedom of expression as guaranteed under Kenyan law.
Neither the Kenyan government nor Safaricom had formally responded to all the allegations at the time of publication, though the documentary has already generated intense public discussion online.
As concerns continue to grow, many Kenyans are now demanding greater transparency, stronger data protection measures, and assurances that personal communications are not being unlawfully monitored.