Kenya’s Interior Principal Secretary, Raymond Omollo, has directed social media companies operating in the country to set up physical offices locally.
“The increasing misuse of social media, including harassment, hate speech, and incitement to violence, necessitates immediate and decisive measures” he noted.
This decision aims to enhance accountability in response to rising concerns of social media misuse among Kenyan youth.
With over 13 million active social media users in Kenya, authorities have observed the escalation of disinformation, online harassment, and other cyber crimes.
Also read: Kenya Recorded 114 Cyber-Attacks on Critical Infrastructure in 2024
“There is a growing need to effectively navigate the misuse and abuse of social media,” Omollo said. He urged platforms to monitor and act against harmful or hateful content. He also called on telcos to improve how they verify users’ identities.
The directive also requires telecommunications providers and social media platforms to put stronger measures in place to fight harassment, hate speech, and incitement to violence.
Omollo stressed that working closely with the government, telcos, and social media companies is crucial to tackling online misconduct.
The Ministry plans to start public campaigns on responsible internet use and create a central system for reporting cyber threats. They are also considering new content moderation rules and penalties for repeat offenders.
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