In a passionate appeal to religious leaders, Kenya’s Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has urged the church to take a stand on the growing influence of social media platforms, particularly TikTok, on society.
Atwoli emphasised that the church has a critical role to play in guiding the younger generation, especially in an era where social media has become a dominant force in shaping behaviour and values.
Speaking during the annual Labour Day prayers held at St Stephen’s Cathedral in Nairobi County on Sunday, April 27, 2025, he expressed concern about the harmful content that is being easily accessed by children and young people.
The trade unionist went on to highlight how platforms like TikTok are not only exposing children to explicit content but are also shaping their perceptions of reality.
“The church must speak about TikTok, the church must speak about social media, the church must speak about YouTube, and the church must take the lead,” Atwoli urged.
“Mtoto mdogo anafungua simu na anaona films, baba anajifanya anangojea chakula; mama akifungua mlango anatoka vile alizaliwa, mtoto anaangalia yale maneno wanaongea kwa TikTok. We can not have such a society.”
Social media incitement
He went further to address the issue of young people who, despite never having worked or been members of any professional organisation, are quick to comment on complex matters such as trade unions and labour ministry policies.
“Na watu wa social media, young men, they have never worked anywhere; they have never been members of any union, but utawaona vile wanacomment mambo ya trade union mambo ya ministry of labour, incitements on social media,” he added.
Social media regulation
Atwoli also pointed out that TikTok is being controlled in China despite being owned by a Chinese company. He called on the government to take immediate steps to regulate social media to prevent further damage to the moral fabric of Kenyan society.
“Na hii kitu inaitwa social media, mimi na waambiya hakuna China; it is controlled. Hata hii TikTok ni ya China, na wao wanacontrol siyo kama hii yenu wamemuwachia. The government must do something to regulate social media. Social media is a bad thing; it is teaching people things that are not normal,” he concluded.
This is not the first time Atwoli has advocated for social media regulation; during the COTU shop stewards meeting on Saturday, April 5, 2025, he reiterated his call for tighter control over social media in Kenya.
The COTU boss added that if not regulated, social media could lead the country onto the path of destruction.
“Kenya is a satellite of economic activities in the region. Hata tukipiga kelele, watu wenzetu wa Uganda na Tanzania wanataka Kenya sana because of the communication systems we have. Hapa ndio kuna banks; hapa ndio kuna kila njia.
“Isipokuwa tu wale watu wetu wa social media. Social media itawabidi mfupishe propaganda; ni lazima mpende nchi hii; msipopenda nchi hii, waajiri watahama. Kama si hivyo, mtaanza kulimana,” Atwoli said.
TikTok’s content
The long-serving COTU top official specifically mentioned TikTok, which he said should not be accessible to children because of its content.
“Kama China wameregulate, TikTok ya China ni yao, sio hii yenu. Ukifungua TikTok saa ingine, na watoto wadogo wanajua kufungua TikTok, na ukiona mambo inafanyika TikTok, sijui kama ni mimi pekee yangu ninaona.
“Unapata mama mzee akitoka kwa bedroom, anajidanganya eti bwana yake amechelewa kuingia bedroom na anakuja vile alivyozaliwa na mtoto anaangalia kitu kama hio. Social media must be regulated. Hio mimi ninataka kuwaambia ukweli,” he concluded.