Safaricom CEO Apologizes for Network Outage, Denies Data Sharing During Protests

Network Outage Due to Undersea Cable Failure

Safaricom’s CEO, Peter Ndegwa, addressed the nationwide network outage that occurred on June 25th. In a video statement, he explained that the disruption resulted from reduced bandwidth on two undersea cables responsible for internet traffic in and out of Kenya. This impacted internet access across the entire region.

“We sincerely apologize for the service interruption,” Ndegwa said. “We are working diligently to restore full functionality.”

Safaricom Denies Sharing Customer Information

Ndegwa also addressed rumors circulating on social media regarding customer data disclosure during the protests. He firmly denied these claims, emphasizing Safaricom’s commitment to user privacy and adherence to Kenyan data protection laws.

“We have not received any court order to share customer information,” Ndegwa stated. “We respect user privacy and only disclose data under specific court mandates.”

Safaricom Expresses Condolences and Supports Peaceful Protest

The CEO acknowledged the tragic events surrounding the anti-tax protests and offered his deepest condolences to the families affected. He commended citizens who exercised their right to peaceful protest, highlighting its importance to democracy.

“We are committed to serving all Kenyans without discrimination,” Ndegwa concluded.

Previous M-Pesa Outage and M-Pesa’s Importance

The statement comes after a technical issue with M-Pesa in January that caused inconvenience for many Kenyans. M-Pesa’s role in the Kenyan economy is undeniable, as evidenced by its inclusion in the government’s fiscal risk assessment.