This archive report was first published on 29 August 2021.
On the eve of the 2022 General Election, the government has taken a significant step to curb hate speech on social media platforms. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has established a unit to monitor and track hate speech on social media platforms.
Speaking at a youth forum in Kirinyaga, NCIC vice chairperson Wambui Nyutu confirmed that the unit is already in place and that the commission has provided it with the relevant facilities to help it in executing its mandate.
According to Nyutu, the main responsibility of the established unit will be tracing people spreading hate speech on various social media platforms as the country nears the 2022 General election.
She further acknowledged that social media platforms had become a common tool used by individuals to spread hate among Kenyans. Nyutu added that social media platforms had overtaken political rallies as the major platform for spreading hate during the electioneering period.
Previously, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i assured Kenyans that the government would not shut down the internet during the 2022 General Election. However, he warned that the government would ensure that social media was not used to create violence during the 2022 General election.
He further warned that hate speech culprits will be tracked down and prosecuted. 'To those who break the law, we will arrange a good meeting between you and the law. Any threats to the vision of Kenya should be met with the full force of law,' Matiang'i warned.
