Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has issued a stern warning to her followers on social media, cautioning them against putting her on speakerphone.
In a post shared on Facebook, the outspoken senator reminded her supporters of the potential dangers involved in doing so.
“Putting me on speakerphone is taking a huge risk, nime wa warn wale mlipata number yangu juzi,” Nyamu wrote, addressing those who have recently obtained her contact information.
While she did not go into detail about the specific risks involved, her message carried a serious tone, suggesting she is keen on protecting her privacy and managing how her conversations are handled.
This cautionary statement comes amid growing concerns over privacy violations, following a warning issued by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
Recently, the Commissioner raised alarms about the increasing trend of Kenyans sharing personal information—such as names, telephone numbers, and locations—on public platforms without the consent of those affected.
In a formal statement, the Commissioner highlighted that this practice is a violation of constitutional rights under Article 31, as well as the Data Protection Act of 2019.
“This practice has been happening without the affected citizens’ consent contrary to the provisions of Article 31 of the Constitution of Kenya, the Data Protection Act, 2019 and its attendant regulations,” the statement reads.
The Commissioner further urged the public to refrain from such actions and advised those whose privacy has been compromised to take action.
“The office encourages any member of the public whose privacy has been violated to file a complaint via [email protected].”
This rise in the public sharing of personal information, particularly phone numbers of elected officials, has become prevalent on social media.
It gained traction when certain groups encouraged citizens to contact their leaders and request them to vote against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
The trend has left many public figures, including Nyamu, seeking to safeguard their privacy amidst growing concerns of data misuse.
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