April 22, 2026
US Ambassador Calls On Kenya To Look Into Violation of Citizens' Privacy Rights

US Ambassador Calls On Kenya To Look Into Violation of Citizens’ Privacy Rights

Meg Whitman, the United States Ambassador to Kenya, chastised Kenyan authorities on Tuesday for allegedly violating privacy rights.

This comes after a local Kenyan daily published an exposé detailing how the policy obtained sensitive personal information from people’s mobile phones.

According to Whitman, the police’s decision to obtain Kenyans’ private information while accessing private data violated the law.

Speaking in Kitale and responding to journalist questions, the envoy emphasized the importance of the nation’s respect for the rule of law and citizens’ privacy.

“I don’t know enough about this issue yet. What I will say is that the laws of privacy and rule of law around the rights of a private citizen need to be respected in democracies,” Whitman cautioned.  

Whitman also urged the relevant authorities to investigate the matter, even as more Kenyans have complained about a possible breach of privacy.

“Democracies and democratic rights are things that we share with Kenya. I am certain that people will look into this situation. I think we should take it very seriously,” she added.

Whitman stated that the United States of America was concerned about the recent decline in human rights and freedoms in Kenya.

However, she revealed that her country had already begun a strategy to collaborate with the Kenyan government to promote individuals’ rights in the country.

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She added that the strategy would include civil society organizations to promote the rights of all Kenyans, including those with disabilities.

Whitman also urged the government to put an end to all human rights violations. She also emphasized the importance of allowing protesters to express themselves freely.

The ambassador’s remarks come at a time when she and her country have faced criticism from Kenyans for remaining silent when instances of police brutality were recorded during the height of the anti-government protests in June of this year.

Kenyans have also expressed concern about reports that authorities may access sensitive private information in order to conduct abductions.

US Ambassador Calls On Kenya To Look Into Violation of Citizens’ Privacy Rights

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