This archive report was first published on 24 September 2019.
Kenya is set to introduce radical regulations on social media, requiring group administrators and bloggers to obtain licenses from the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK).
The Kenya Information and Communication (Amendment) Bill, 2019, proposes that users and group administrators who allow offending content on their social media platforms face imprisonment or fines.
According to the Bill, social media group administrators will be required to inform CAK of their intention to form the groups and control undesirable content and discussion on the platform.
“A social media user shall ensure that any content published, written or shared through the social media platform does not degrade or intimidate a recipient of the content,” states the Bill.
“Any person who contravenes the provision of this section commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand shillings, or to an imprisonment of a term not exceeding one year,” the bill adds.
The Bill, sponsored by Malava MP Malulu Injendi, aims to regulate social media platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, by requiring them to carry out due diligence to ensure that all users are of age.
Bloggers will also be affected by the regulations, with those who run blogs without CAK’s authority facing up to two years in jail or fines of up to Ksh. 500,000.
Published on September 24, 2019.
