Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has disassociated government from assertions that social site platform, Facebook could be shut down in the run up to the August 9 General Elections for failing to curb hate speech.
The CS termed the claims by a commissioner of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Danvas Makori to have Meta Inc’s Facebook suspended in Kenya for its apparent lack of adherence to the hate speech regulations as mere personal comments.
The CS affirmed that the government will shut down the internet and social media platforms during the elections.
“Some people are saying that maybe during elections we will shut down Facebook…That is a view, the position of the government is very clear; we will respect the Constitution and all the rights of our people. We will not intrude or interfere with the freedoms of our people.” Matiang’i said.
“I have not heard anything about shutting down social media or interfering with Facebook because of the elections.” He added.
Matiangi stressed that the Cabinet has never entertained the idea of infringing on the rights of Kenyans.
“That was his opinion which I can confirm that we are not going to take or listen to. We are a mature government and we will not shut down social media or the internet,” Matinagi said.
Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru also on Saturday dismissed the NCIC position noting that “media, including social media, will continue to enjoy press freedom in Kenya”.
The NCIC is an independent ethnic cohesion watchdog set up after the 2007-8 post-election violence that left more than 1,000 people dead.
It does not have the power to suspend Facebook but can make recommendations to the government’s Communications Authority.
NCIC’s recommendations followed a report by advocacy group Global Witness and UK-based legal activist firm Foxglove that said Facebook had accepted and broadcast at least 19 ads in both English and Swahili calling for rape, slaughter, and beheadings
“From the report, it is very clear that Facebook is in violation of the laws of our country. They have allowed themselves to be a vector of hate speech and incitement, misinformation, and disinformation.” Makori said adding that the commission had sent recommendations to Facebook.
“We are a mature government, criticism is a way of life and we are used to it. Sometimes when citizens criticize us it’s okay, that is what they are supposed to do because we are not leading animals, we are leading human beings, some of who have ideas better than us,” said Matiang’i.