State orders social media platforms to set up physical offices in Kenya to curb online abuses

The government has directed all social media companies operating in Kenya to establish physical offices within the country.

The move, announced by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo on Thursday, is aimed at enhancing accountability in light of increasing concerns over disinformation and online abuse.

In his statement, Omollo stressed that the directive also compels telecommunications providers and platform owners to take stronger measures against harassment, hate speech, and incitement to violence. He said the government expects full compliance to address the misuse of social media more effectively.

“In recognition of our collective obligation to ensure the responsible and secure use of various digital platforms, the Ministry underscores the need for strengthened collaboration between the Government, telecommunications operators, and social media organisations,” Omollo said.

He highlighted that technology plays a crucial role in service delivery and that the government continues to harness Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to drive its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

According to Omollo, over 20,000 services have already been onboarded onto the eCitizen platform, showcasing the transformative potential of technology in governance, improving efficiency, transparency, and combating corruption.

He said Kenya’s thriving creative economy has also garnered international attention, with President William Ruto securing partnerships with platforms like YouTube, X, and Facebook to help Kenyan youth monetize their digital content.

Omollo emphasised that this supports the country’s vision of fostering innovation and digital entrepreneurship.

Secure cyberspace

However, as digital platforms expand, so do the challenges of misuse. Omollo noted that the Ministry, through the National Computer and Cybercrime Co-ordination Committee (NC4), is actively working to create a secure cyberspace for both the government and citizens.

One such initiative is the enactment of the 2024 Computer Misuse and Cybercrime (Critical Information Infrastructure and Cybercrime Management) regulations, which implement the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act (CMCA). Despite these efforts, Omollo acknowledged that more needs to be done to ensure a safer digital environment.

“There is a growing need to effectively navigate the misuse and abuse of social media,” Omollo said.

“Platforms must actively monitor and take action against violent, hateful, unbalanced, and unmoderated content. Defining the responsibilities of various stakeholders—whether government agencies, telcos, or content platforms—is essential for an efficient and coordinated approach.”

He called for telecommunications operators to reassess their content access models, including user identification, and for greater firmness in addressing criminal activities online.

With increasing cases of individuals using social media irresponsibly and crossing the boundaries of free speech, Omollo reiterated that swift action is necessary.

“Given the real-world impact of digital actions, a more pronounced physical presence of enforcement agencies is essential,” he added.

The Ministry also announced plans to prioritise sustained public sensitization on the responsible use of the internet to promote a safer online environment.

Additionally, the PS said a centralised hub will be set up to report and share information about cyber threats, and a national framework for content moderation and filtering will be explored.

To curb digital misconduct, Omollo stressed the need for effective deterrent measures against repeat offenders and emphasised the government’s commitment to fostering a secure, accountable, and inclusive digital space where innovation can flourish without being exploited for malicious purposes.