Kisumu residents got more than football celebrations this week after Chelsea FC’s 3-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. In a unique show of civic responsibility, members of the Chelsea Fans Kisumu Branch marked the victory by holding a public data privacy awareness session outside the Kisumu County Hall.
The fans, clad in Chelsea jerseys, paused their jubilation to teach locals about digital safety, fraud prevention, and the importance of protecting personal information in today’s connected world. Their message was direct: your ID, phone number, and digital presence can be exploited if you’re not careful.
“This is not just about football. As Chelsea fans, we felt it was important to do something meaningful for our community,” said Meldon Modi, the branch chairperson. “Many people are falling victim to fraud, identity theft, and online scams. We thought—why not use this moment of joy to educate people?”
The group highlighted several key data privacy tips. Residents were warned against sharing their ID numbers or M-PESA PINs with strangers, and urged to check what SIM cards are registered under their ID numbers by dialing *106#. They also discussed the dangers of SIM swap fraud and the risks of granting unnecessary permissions to mobile apps.
Tom Ologi, the branch secretary general, emphasized the importance of using the fan base to drive positive change.
“We are passionate about football, but we are also members of this community,” Ologi said. “We want to be known not just for supporting Chelsea, but for taking action that benefits people on the ground.”
The session included real-life examples of scams, advice on watermarking ID copies, and calls to educate family members—especially those less familiar with smartphones and apps.
The Chelsea Fans Kisumu Branch also posted educational content on popular social media platforms to widen their reach beyond the county hall. The effort was well received by passersby, boda boda riders, and traders who stopped to listen and ask questions.
This initiative stands out as a grassroots campaign using a moment of celebration to tackle a rising threat—data insecurity. As smartphones and mobile money become part of daily life, the fans’ timely reminders about data safety serve as an example for other groups across the country.
“It’s about giving back,” Modi added. “And sometimes, giving back is as simple as sharing information that could save someone from losing everything.”
Here’s what they shared:
1. Protect Your ID Number
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Don’t hand out your National ID number or copies without a valid reason.
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Fraudsters use ID numbers to commit crimes like fake loan applications or SIM registration.
2. Your Mobile Number Is Not Just a Number
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Your SIM is tied to your identity.
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Dial *106# to see what numbers are registered under your ID.
3. Control App Access
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Don’t grant apps access to your photos, location, and contacts unless necessary.
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Uninstall suspicious apps.
4. Beware of SIM Swap Attacks
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Hackers can hijack your number.
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Set a SIM PIN and contact your telco if you lose signal suddenly.
5. Be Careful With Copies of Your ID
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Avoid sending ID photos on WhatsApp or email to unknown parties.
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If you must, watermark it: “FOR JOB APPLICATION ONLY” or similar.
6. Never Share M-PESA PINs or OTPs
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Scammers pretend to be from Safaricom or your bank.
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No real company will ever ask for your codes over the phone.
7. Know Your Rights Under Kenya’s Data Protection Act (2019)
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You can ask to see what data is collected about you.
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You can refuse, or request its deletion.
8. Teach Your Community
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Many fall victim to scams due to lack of knowledge.
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Share tips with friends, parents, boda riders, and students.
Why This Matters
Sharing your ID at a building gate or clicking a link in a group chat might seem harmless—but it can open doors to fraud, surveillance, and identity theft.
The Chelsea fans’ initiative is a powerful example of how ordinary citizens can lead change by educating others during everyday interactions.
Their efforts remind us: celebrating doesn’t always have to be about noise—it can be about impact.
So next time you pull out your phone, ask yourself: Is it really necessary to share this information?
