ICT and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo
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In a recent interview on Citizen TV, William Kabogo, the Cabinet Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, unequivocally denied any plans to shut down social media platforms in Kenya.
During the discussion, Kabogo emphasized that allegations surrounding government intentions to regulate or disable these platforms should be dismissed as unfounded. "I would not envisage or imagine where we would switch off social media. The discussion of switching off is not on the table at all," he asserted.
Kabogo's comments follow a series of speculations raised during his vetting process in the National Assembly, where concerns about social media regulation were prominent. He reiterated that his fundamental aim is to facilitate free expression for all Kenyans, as long as it does not inflict harm on others. Emphasizing the principle of responsible communication, he suggested a balanced approach to safeguarding free expression.
Additionally, Kabogo has announced his intention to create a platform that would enable Kenyans to engage directly with the ICT Ministry on issues related to information and communication technology. He expresses a desire for constructive engagement, stating, "As the new ICT and Digital Economy CS, I want Kenyans to be able to express themselves, but expressing yourself doesn’t mean you must be insulting or abusive.”
He further indicates that the platform would allow for the moderation of discussions thus ensuring respectful dialogues. Kabogo highlights the importance of accountability in digital communication while addressing the government's call for social media companies to establish local offices in Kenya. He explains that having representatives in the country would facilitate essential dialogues about the responsible usage of social media.
"You have seen recently they have been asked to have resident offices so that you have somebody to talk to when these things happen. We need to tell the people who own this platform let's be responsible," Kabogo says, warning of the potential consequences misinformation can have on society.
On January 16, the Kenyan government issued new directives requiring social media companies to establish physical offices within the country, a move prompted by persistent complaints from senior officials regarding the misuse of social media, particularly among the youth. The Ministry of Interior emphasizes that this measure aims to enhance accountability and responsibility in light of the increasing disinformation, online harassment, and hate speech prevalent on these platforms.
The directives primarily target major global corporations, including Meta, which oversees Facebook and Instagram, and X, formerly Twitter, owned by Elon Musk. Other notable platforms, such as TikTok, are also included in these requirements. The mandate follows discussions between Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, telecommunications representatives, and social media platform delegates.
The Interior Ministry cited "the increasing misuse of social media" as a critical factor necessitating the new regulations, suggesting that swift and decisive action is essential to combat criminal activities online. In addition to establishing a local presence, telecommunications providers and social media firms are expected to adopt more robust measures against such behaviours.