A US-based Kenyan nurse and businesswoman, Nafula Sharleen, has sparked heated debate among Kenyans living in the United States after she shared claims about how immigration enforcement is allegedly tracking undocumented migrants.
In a viral online post that has since attracted thousands of reactions, Nafula warned Kenyans in the diaspora to be cautious about their phone use, claiming that US immigration authorities are using advanced digital surveillance tools to monitor conversations and online activity.
“Wasee hii nayo ni ngori promax, Ustake jua!” she wrote, suggesting that undocumented migrants are increasingly being traced and deported through digital footprints left on mobile phones.
She further alleged that authorities are able to access private conversations, calls, and messages through what she described as “spyware-like systems” allegedly installed or activated without users’ knowledge.
According to her claims, even individuals who have not directly interacted with immigration officers could still be exposed through their digital communication patterns.
Nafula also suggested that phone data, including text messages and social media activity, may be used to identify and locate individuals living in the country without legal documentation.
She warned that even casual conversations among friends could potentially be monitored and stored.
“Bora simu imeingia kwa system, huna control,” she wrote, adding that people should be cautious about what they share, even in private chats.
She also cautioned against sharing explicit content online, claiming such material could be accessed during investigations.
Her remarks further touched on broader fears circulating within some diaspora communities, including claims that digital surveillance is being used to track individuals suspected of violating immigration laws or engaging in activities flagged by security agencies.
However, her claims remain unverified, and US authorities have not publicly confirmed the use of blanket phone surveillance targeting undocumented immigrants in the manner described.
The post has triggered mixed reactions online, with some users expressing fear and urging caution, while others dismissed the claims as exaggerated and intended to stir panic among immigrants.