Meta’s Oversight Board has announced it will review a case concerning political expression and hate speech on Facebook in Kenya. The case involves a user’s comment on a post discussing former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union’s Chairperson position. The comment included the term “tugeges,” which Meta has designated as a prohibited slur under its Hateful Conduct Community Standard. Meta removed the comment, leading the user to appeal the decision to the Oversight Board.
The term “tugeges” is considered a derogatory term targeting the Kikuyu ethnic group. Meta’s policy defines slurs as words that inherently create an atmosphere of exclusion and intimidation against people based on protected characteristics. However, the policy allows exceptions when slurs are used to condemn hate speech, report on it, reclaim it, or when used self-referentially.
The Oversight Board selected this case to examine how Meta respects political expression in countries with a history of intercommunal violence, such as Kenya. The Board is seeking public comments on the meaning and contemporary use of the term “tugeges” in Kenyan politics and society, as well as its connection to hate speech and political expression.
This case is part of the Board’s broader efforts to address hate speech against marginalized groups and to ensure that Meta’s content moderation policies are applied fairly and contextually, especially in regions with complex social and political dynamics. The Board’s decision could have significant implications for how Meta balances its policies on hate speech with the need to protect political expression in diverse cultural contexts.