DO NOT TOUCH: Atwoli warns of economic downfall without social media regulation in Kenya

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) has urged the government to introduce regulations on social media use across Kenya in response to the growing misuse of digital platforms.

Speaking during a COTU shop stewards meeting in Nairobi on Saturday, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli highlighted the dangers of unregulated access to social media and Artificial Intelligence (AI), which he believes contributes to the spread of misinformation and harmful content.

He pointed out that other countries, like China, have implemented stringent laws and censorship to control what is shared on social media, ensuring alignment with state policies.

Atwoli expressed concern that without similar measures in Kenya, the country could face severe economic consequences, including the mass departure of employers and investors. He stressed the urgency of the situation, calling on social media users to refrain from spreading propaganda.

"Kenya is a satellite of economic activities in the region. On social media, you will need to shorten the propaganda, you must love this country. If you don't love this country, employers will leave. If not, you will start fighting each other," Atwoli said.

“If you leave this country, where else will you go? We plead with our social media users, itabidi muache propaganda (refrain from propaganda). You must love this country or else, employers will exit.”

He further warned that failure to regulate social media could lead to Kenya following the path of countries like Sudan or Congo, which have faced significant challenges due to instability.

“This forces us to urge the government to regulate social media. Something must be done, and the time to do it is now. Engage leaders on issues, not on hate,” he added.

The call for regulation comes at a time when anti-President William Ruto chants are gaining momentum in social media, amid reports of abductions and extrajudicial killings.

ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo in January, acknowledged the need for oversight of social media platforms to curb harmful content.

Kabogo, during an address at County Hall, expressed concern over the prevalence of harmful material, such as the misuse of AI and pornography being accessible to children on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and X.

“On the issue of hate speech and harmful content, this is a matter of every country having its own regulations. It is true that when you look at TikTok, Facebook, and X, you will find all sorts of pornography available to children,” Kabogo said.

“This is a situation where our regulator should be able to engage these pro-writers or the owners of these apps to know how they can be regulated.”

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