KENYA : The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (ICT) Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo has proposed measures to curb the misuse of social media, including the possibility of banning individuals who spread hate speech and engage in other harmful online behaviors.
“My first directive to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is to explore how this can be regulated. We have technical experts with the experience to address these issues. I plan to meet with them on my first or second day in office to establish a direct and clear approach to tackling this problem,” Kabogo Stated.
According to Kabogo, the freedom of expression has to have limitations, in the event it leads to infringement of other people's rights.
“Cognizant of the fact that there is freedom of expression in Kenya, and we have to strike a balance so that the freedom of one is not used to infringe on the freedom of others.” he stated.
Kabogo, urged young Social media users in the country to desist from generating AI images depicting leaders in coffins, insisting there are better, cordial ways to spread their message and call for accountability.
" The minute someone depicts you in a coffin, it may be fun at your age of 20, what happens when you're 42 and your son is 19 and someone depicts you in a coffin?" he quipped.
His remarks on social media sensorship comes just days after the Ministry of Interior and National Administration took similar steps.
In a statement on Thursday, January 16, Interior PS Raymond Omollo stated that Social Media companies must set up physical offices in Kenya to enhance accountability and address the increasing misuse of the platforms.
“To ensure responsibility and accountability in the face of rising disinformation, social media manipulation, and online abuse, all social media organizations operating in the country must establish a physical presence within our jurisdiction,” read the statement in part.
PS Raymond Omollo who was speaking during a meeting with telecommunications companies and social media platform representatives said the increasing misuse of social media, including harassment, hate speech and incitement to violence, necessitates immediate and decisive measures.
“Strict compliance with this requirement is expected with telecommunications providers and platform owners required to take stronger action against criminal activities online,” he said.
This decision is set to affect popular social media platforms such as TikTok YouTube, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) and Popular Meta Platforms Facebook and Instagram.
Meanwhile, the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi officially handed over the Ministry to Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo Gitau earlier today.
Musalia handed over the office at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Telposta Towers, Nairobi.
In his remarks, the Prime Cabinet Secretary emphasized on the importance of appropriately communicating Government’s projects that have been rolled out or are underway and future plans of action to ensure the citizenry is well versed in the Agenda of the State.
On his part, CS Hon. Kabogo pledged to fully support the actualization of the digitization agenda.
“we should be able to digitize our Ministry 100 percent and start moving towards digitizing the entire Government so that we can serve Kenyans quickly, efficiently and in real time.” said Kabogo.
The CS expressed optimism in working with all officers across the board to operationalize the Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy Pillar within the BETA Agenda.
Present were Principal Secretary Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani, Principal Secretary ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, CEO’s and Managing Directors of the Ministry’s SAGA’s and senior Ministry officials.
