TikTok Strikes Deal With Ruto To Train Kenyan Creators

President William Ruto on Saturday, September 2 announced that social media giant, TikTok, will conduct a national training programme in Kenya to empower content creators as well as promote positive content in the country.

The Head of State hosted TikTok Africa Director Fortune Sibanda and a delegation at State House, Nairobi, where they discussed priority aspects of the platform, including its monetization plan.

After the meeting, President Ruto emphasized the power TikTok has in aiding Kenyans to earn a livelihood through monetizing their content made in good quality and drawing thousands of followers.

"Kenyan creatives deserve to make a livelihood from their ability to create good content. TikTok will run a national training programme in Kenya to empower content creators through comprehensive platform knowledge, fostering increased monetization and promoting positive content.

President William Ruto meets with TikTok Africa Director Fortune Sibanda and his delegation at State House on September 2, 2023. /WILLIAM RUTO

"Had a progress review on the issues of moderation and monetization of the service with Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda (Director Tiktok Africa) among others. Also present was ICT PS John Tanui," stated Ruto on social media while he shared photos from the interaction.

The meeting came as TikTok is seeking to make strides in bolstering content created and uploaded by Kenyans on the platform which has been the platform that birthed the careers of popular content creators, among them Azziad Nasenya.

On Thursday, August 24, TikTok committed to removing all offensive and inappropriate content on the platform following President Ruto's meeting with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shou Zi Chew.

The move, according to the President, will ensure that content on the platform adheres to agreed guidelines.

In a virtual meeting with President Ruto, Zi Chew committed to ensuring that content is moderated to fit community standards.

During the meeting, Chew also agreed to set up a Kenyan office to coordinate its operations in the continent and pledged to hire more Kenyans on the platform.

"Kenya will work with the short-form video hosting service TikTok in reviewing and monitoring its content to ensure that it adheres to the agreed community guidelines and standards. It is our commitment that we bring up our children in the right environment.

"During a virtual meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew who also agreed to set up an office in Kenya to coordinate its operations in the region," stated Ruto.

The deal will see TikTok strengthen its content moderation in the country aimed at expunging content such as sexual activity, nudity, graphic content and animal abuse in order to maintain integrity on the platform.

The directives came amidst the furore that sparked following a petition filed in Parliament to have Members of Parliament (MPs) outlaw the social media platform over its explicit content.