Calling it a “Fake Security Scare,” Leading Kenyan Newspaper Urges Telcos to Stay Out of US/UK Fight Over Huawei

STEFAN WERMUTH / AFP

One of Kenya’s largest newspapers, The Star, published a blistering editorial on Sunday that implored the country’s telecom operators to stay out of the escalating feud between the US/UK and China over Huawei.

The paper’s editorial board was blunt in its assessment of the U.S.-led charges against the Chinese telecom giant, calling it a “fake security scare.” The editorial went on to explain that the real reason, in their view, that UK/US officials are upset about Huawei has nothing to do with the potential threat of espionage. “The real reason is commercial,” said the editorial. “European and American manufacturers need time to catch up with Chinese companies who are probably five years ahead of them in developing 5G technology.”

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by Eric Olander

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