By Antynet Ford
Information and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo has warned Kenyans over the irresponsible use of social media.
Speaking while touring the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Kabogo said the government has the option to switch off the social sites; however, they do not think of doing so.
“I am only saying simply, let us be responsible. We don’t want to think about switching off people because the capacity is there,” Kabogo said.
He urged Kenyans to engage the government in forward-steering conversations instead of launching attacks always.
The former Kiambu governor warned that as much as there is freedom of expression, it should not interfere with other people’s freedoms.
He maintained that he would not gag people from saying what they want as long as they are responsible.
“I would want us to be responsible on social media. Instead of putting me in a coffin and displaying me out there, why don’t you just tell me what you want? Why can’t we have a conversation between yourselves and us? We also know that Kenya has freedom of expression but that freedom is limited to the extent it does not interfere with other people’s freedoms. As long as we understand that is the rule of the game, let us have fun,” He said.
“I am not one who would want to gag people from saying what they would want to say, as long as what they are saying is responsible,” He added.
His remarks come amid online criticisms of President William Ruto’s administration.
While taking over as the ICT CS, Kabogo noted that his ministry would undertake a sensitization campaign to raise awareness on data privacy protections, among other critical digital-space rights.
Kabogo gave an assurance that these efforts would not be undertaken with the aim of curtailing freedom of expression, emphasizing that the objective was to promote responsible and respectful online conduct.
