ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo has warned that the government has the capacity to take action against those who misuse social media but prefers to avoid such measures.
Speaking during a visit to KBC, Kabogo condemned recent cases of AI-generated images depicting leaders in coffins, which have prompted calls for stricter social media regulations.
He urged Kenyans to exercise responsibility and respect others’ rights when expressing themselves online, emphasizing that these rights have limits.
“Simply, let us be responsible. We do not want to think about switching off people because the capacity is there,” the CS stated.
“I would want us to be responsible on social media. Instead of putting me in a coffin and displaying it out there, why don’t you just tell me what you want? Why can’t we have a discussion between yourselves and us?”
Kabogo urged Kenyans to respect others’ rights when expressing themselves on social media, emphasizing that freedom of expression has its limits.
“We know Kenya has freedom of expression, but that freedom ends where it infringes on others’ rights,” he said, adding that dialogue should remain respectful and within legal boundaries.
Kabogo also highlighted concerns about the widespread access to pornographic content on social media and vowed to address the issue.
The government has responded to rising concerns, including the circulation of coffin images online, by engaging social media firms. The Ministry of Interior has instructed these companies to establish physical offices in Kenya to ensure better compliance with local regulations.