A Bill to give the Information ministry powers to monitor all Internet messages will soon be tabled in Parliament to curb hate speech.
It means that those who do not moderate their language on the Internet face prosecution.
National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia said at the weekend that the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK), Safaricom and NCIC would regulate language use on the Internet.
Dr Kibunjia, said phone messages and Internet messages, especially those sent in bulk, would be monitored.
Kenyans are being urged not to use hate speech in social media, as NCIC, CID officers and computer experts are watching out for any possible use of hate speech in cyber cafes countrywide. According to Nyanza police boss Joseph ole Tito, several cases against individuals found to be engaging in hate speech are under investigations for prosecution by the DPP and if there is satisfactory evidence, more people might be prosecuted.
This comes hot on the heels after last week’s arrest of the prolific Kenyan tech blogger, Robert Alai, for abuse of the Kenya Information and Communication Act. Alai appeared in court on Wednesday last week to face charges of abusing the Act. The Nairobi Provincial CID office had received a complaint from government spokesman and Communication Commission of Kenya that Alai has been abusing sections of the Act hence the summons.
Critics opine that arrest of Kenyan tech blogger has shone a spotlight on the East African nation’s online civil liberties, with experts saying it has illustrated the possible vagueness of the country’s communications law.
Sources: The Daily Nation / Standard Digital News / ITWebAfrica
Laws don't stop hate speech, we do!!
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