Safaricom denies involvement in tracking late Ojwang’

Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa

Mobile network giant Safaricom has denied any involvement in the arrest or surveillance of Albert Ojwang’, who died in police custody following a controversial arrest over a social media post.

Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said they came to learn about the arrest of Ojwang’ through media reports.

Ndegwa said they are concerned and disturbed by the remarks by some leaders linking the company to the unfortunate incident.

“Our ask to all Kenyans is to ignore any attempts to incite them and remain firm in demanding accountability through transparent investigations,” Ndegwa said.

“We also ask our leaders to push for 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.”

Ndegwa reassured Kenyans that Safaricom has always been safe and secure in how it handles their data, and “we will continue to do so now and in the future.”

The remarks by Safaricom came hot on the heels of a statement issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), distancing itself from social media reports associating it with the controversial death of Ojwang’ at the hands of police.

CA termed as misleading allegations that it provided data on the whereabouts of the deceased to law enforcement officers.

CA clarified that it 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 data held by our licensees,” it added.

CA explained that 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 maintained that its role is confined to oversight and compliance, ensuring that licensees adhere to the prevailing regulatory requirements.

Ojwang’ was arrested in Homa Bay over a social media post allegedly targeting Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.

He was later transferred to Nairobi’s Central Police Station, where he was found unconscious in his cell and later pronounced dead at Mbagathi Hospital.