Kenya’s New Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy (ICT) Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo said his ministry is the is at the heart of youth, popularly as Gen Z.
However, Kabogo has called on responsible use of social media, amid online criticisms of President William Ruto’s administration.
Speaking in Nairobi on Saturday when he officially took over from Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, who was standing in an acting capacity, Kabogo noted that his Ministry would undertake a sensitisation campaign to raise awareness on data privacy protections, among other critical digital-space rights.
He however assured 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. Speaking when he took over office from acting CS Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, he pledged to foster collaborations to deliver on his mandate.
“Our accelerated journey to a digitally connected Kenya starts now. This ministry is central to driving wealth and job creation. However, this ministry is at the heart of our Gen Z. I therefore appeal to our young people to use social media platforms responsibly. The minute you put someone in a coffin and depict someone in a coffin. It may be fun at your age of 20…what happens when you are 42 and your son is 19 or 20 and someone puts you or depicts you in a coffin. It will not be fun for your children,” said Kabogo.
He added “We should be able to talk to our children and to each other and understand that this field is good. Information is power but let us do things responsibly. We have laws that govern misuse and abuse of this platform.”
Kenyan president William Ruto had on numerous occasions found himself between a rock and a hard place with the youth who have staged an online ‘revolt’ against him.
The revolt has seen several online users staging their frustration against President Ruto’s administration by drawing caricatures and silhouettes that portray them in a bad light. Others have also created alarming AI-generated deepfake images that portrayed President William Ruto in a coffin.
