In a recent development, Kenya has mandated social media companies to establish physical offices within the country. The Ministry of Interior and National Administration announced this decision after a meeting with stakeholders in the telecommunication and social media sectors. The move indicates a shift towards tighter regulation of social media in Kenya.
The decision to regulate social media follows widespread protests by young Kenyans against President William Ruto’s administration six months ago. The protests were sparked by the introduction of new taxes on essential goods through the now-withdrawn 2024 Finance Bill. Social media platforms like TikTok and X played a significant role in amplifying the protests, allowing demonstrators to livestream events and reach a broader audience. The hashtag #RejectTheFinanceBill2024 trended on social media platforms, garnering millions of impressions in the initial days of the protests. Unfortunately, the protests led to casualties, making it one of the longest-running demonstrations in Kenya’s history.
Subsequent protests have been less intense, but Kenyans continue to use social media platforms, particularly X, to express discontent with the government’s policies on living costs and economic challenges. Some citizens have resorted to using AI tools to create provocative content, including images that some politicians found offensive, such as depictions of Ruto in a coffin.
During the recent meeting, concerns were raised about the misuse of social media. Despite Kenya being one of the few African nations where social media is widely used without restrictions, there have been reports of over 80 abductions targeting online government critics since June 2024.