Kenya’s Parliament has decided to reject a TikTok ban while implementing strict rules for the platform. National Assembly of Kenya has rejected calls for a total ban on TikTok, choosing instead to pursue stricter regulatory controls aimed at protecting users and strengthening the country’s digital economy.
At the Tuesday session of February 17 2026 lawmakers decided to keep the platform active by supporting a set of rules which needed monitoring to ensure compliance instead of creating an absolute prohibition. The Public Petitions Committee presented its findings to the government, who informed them that a total ban would violate constitutional rights, which would harm Kenya’s developing technology industry.
Child Protection and Data Privacy at the Forefront The parliamentary discussions focused on protecting underage individuals as their main area of interest. MPs requested stricter regulations because they had observed an increase in which children encountered explicit material and faced online exploitation. The Parliament declared its intention to protect minors through content regulation, which Moses Kajwang the speaker of the House explained as a way to reduce platform dangers without needing to shut it down.
The proposed approach seeks to impose enforceable content standards and tighter data protection requirements while ensuring that digital platforms operate within Kenyan law. Legislators showed interest in how social media platforms could provide economic benefits beyond their security issues. Parliament is pressing for formalized monetization systems tailored to the Kenyan market, ensuring local creators can directly earn revenue from their content. Millie Odhiambo explained that Young Kenyans use social media to experience entertainment and participate in civic activities while generating sustainable income.
