TikTok, the social media platform that has taken Kenya by storm, faced a sudden and widespread outage, leaving millions unable to access or post content. This outage was reported on Tuesday evening, and for nearly an hour, users reported being unable to access the app.
Users across the country reported grappling with challenges, reporting the app to be unresponsive and displaying error messages such as “Something Went Wrong” when they try to load profiles or posts.
This disruption, which began over 39 minutes ago, was confirmed by an online application-tracking service, “Down for Everyone or Just Me,” which flagged the issue, sending TikTok's Kenyan users into a frenzy.
Frustration is growing as the app, which has become a staple for entertainment and self-expression, remains down, with no official word yet from TikTok or its parent company, ByteDance Ltd.
Kenyans, particularly young people, rely heavily on TikTok for sharing short viral videos, staying informed, and engaging in social trends. The app’s integration into daily life is undeniable, with over 10.6 million users aged 18 and above reported by ByteDance earlier this year. These figures do not even account for teenagers, a demographic likely to be among its most dedicated users.
Across the country, TikTok creators, influencers, and casual users are venting their frustrations. The inability to post or engage with content has thrown a wrench into the social media routine, however, the company restored normal usage after an hour.
For content creators who depend on the platform for their livelihood, this outage represents more than just an inconvenience—it’s a significant disruption to their income streams.
TikTok’s popularity has soared in Kenya, but recent data from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) shows the app may be facing challenges in maintaining its dominance.
In June, the CAK report revealed TikTok's user reach dropped to 17 per cent from 19.3 per cent in 2022. Although it remains a leading platform, this slight dip has sparked questions about its sustainability amid competition from established social media giants like Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp.
Adding to the uncertainty, TikTok had already announced it would be shutting down its music service later this year. The platform’s music division, created to capitalise on TikTok’s power in shaping the global music scene, will cease operations on November 28, with all user data to be deleted.
Customers have been asked to transfer their playlists to alternative platforms like Spotify and Apple Music by October 28, marking the end of an ambitious experiment by TikTok to rival established music streaming services.
This comes as the company faces pressures from various governments over regulations.
