Meta oversight body considers company’s treatment of political expression in Kenya

Meta’s Oversight Board is considering a new case on the Facebook parent company’s respect for political expression in Kenya.

This is in the wake of a user appeal to restore a Facebook comment removed from the social media platform for allegedly violating its Hateful Conduct policy.

At issue is the use of an ethnic slur in a Kenyan political context; the removed comment was posted in February 2025 under a Facebook post discussing former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

The original post included an image of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and highlighted his endorsement of Odinga, suggesting the move was aimed at gaining favour with the former PM's Luo supporters.

In response, the user commented that Gachagua’s remarks were intended for 'tugeges,' a term Meta has classified as a prohibited slur since January 2024.

The company translates 'tugeges' as “retarded Kikuyu,” tracing its origins to Kikuyu language expressions implying mental confusion.

The comment was automatically flagged and removed by Meta’s systems, with the decision upheld by a human reviewer.

The user then appealed to the Oversight Board, arguing the comment was a political critique and not hateful.

The board, which operates independently but is funded by Meta, said it chose this case to examine Meta’s respect for political expression “in countries with a recent history of intercommunal violence.”

It will also examine the implications of automated content moderation on freedom of expression, it said.

The board has invited public comments until June 17, “especially from individuals and organizations with insights into Kenyan politics, ethnic discourse, and the impact of automated moderation systems.”

Comments should address, among others, the meaning and use of the term 'tugeges' in Kenyan politics and society, and how reliance on automated enforcement of Meta’s policies impacts human rights.

Facebook is among the most used social media platforms in Kenya. Meta also owns Instagram and Threads.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg approved the creation of the Oversight Board in November 2018 as an external body that people can appeal to if they disagree with the company’s content enforcement decisions on these platforms.

The board has the power to override Meta's decisions, and its rulings are binding on the company.