Nominated senator Karen Nyamu faced a ban from going live on TikTok after the platform flagged her content as sexually suggestive.
The ban, lasting for a day, was imposed following an incident where Nyamu hugged another woman during a live session, as stated in a notification she received from TikTok.
The notification cited “Sexually suggestive Content” as the reason for the violation, emphasizing TikTok’s commitment to upholding community guidelines while allowing creative expression and entertainment.
“We welcome performances and dances where people can creatively express themselves, celebrate their culture, or seek to entertain. We are mindful that certain behaviours related to sexual arousal or suggestiveness may be offensive to some people and may put young people at risk of exploitation.
“We do not allow seductive performances or allusions to sexual activity by young people, or the use of sexually explicit narratives by anyone. We do allow some artistic content with sexual references, such as song lyrics,” read the warning from TikTok.
The warning continued; “Content is age-restricted if it shows seductive performances or sexualized posing by adults, or allusions to sexual activity by adults. Content is ineligible for the FYF if it shows sex products or intends to sexually arouse (such as intimate kissing, sexualized posing, and seductive performances or allusions to sexual activity by adults).”
Nyamu’s reaction
Responding to the ban, Nyamu expressed frustration and hinted at the possibility of TikTok facing a ban in Kenya. She explained that the incident occurred when a female friend spontaneously hugged her during the live session.
“I like the controls n checks TikTok has put in place. A lady just happened to hug me on my live n this happened. TikTok itabaniwa in kenya nkiwa bafu nikioga (I appreciate the controls and checks TikTok has put in place. A lady just happened to hug me on my Live. TikTok will be banned in Kenya when I’m in the bathroom taking a shower),” Karen Nyamu remarked.
The video leading to her ban featured Nyamu emulating a viral trend, inspired by a popular incident involving musician TID being interrupted by a boda boda rider during an interview.
In her rendition, Nyamu addressed her female friend, who embraced her during the video.
Nyamu, known for her active presence on TikTok, boasts a significant following on the platform, engaging her audience with diverse content.
