The Majority Leader of the National Assembly, Kimani Ichung’wah, has called on law enforcement agencies to intensify the implementation of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2018 to curb the rising cases of online attacks. Speaking on Friday, Ichung’wah expressed concern over the misuse of digital platforms to perpetrate cybercrimes, particularly targeting leaders, and urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to take firm action against offenders.
“DCI must make use of the laws that we created and enacted in Parliament back in 2018. The provisions of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act are fully in force. All they need to do is enforce the law to end these shenanigans of people insulting each other with impunity,” Ichung’wah stated.
The lawmaker emphasized the importance of deterrence, urging the DCI to arrest and publicly prosecute individuals involved in cybercrimes. “If there are people who have committed offenses under the misuse of computers and cybercrimes, arrest them and make it public. Take them to court so that it deters others from engaging in uncouth and uncivilized behaviors,” he asserted.
Ichung’wah further criticized the exploitation of constitutional freedoms, arguing that certain individuals were using these rights as a cover to launch baseless attacks. He underscored the necessity of balancing freedoms with responsibility, adding that the current trend of impunity must end.
Allegations of Political Exploitation
The Majority Leader also accused some political leaders of using recent cases of abductions and enforced disappearances for personal and political gain. He alleged that some Members of Parliament and Senators, particularly from the Mt. Kenya region, were attempting to bribe police officers to stage arrests to gain public sympathy.
“Nimeona wanasiasa wengine huko kwetu (Mt. Kenya), MPs and a few Senators, they are now attempting to bribe the police to arrest them to get public sympathy. Mwingine anajipeleka kwa polisi eti ameitwa na hakuna mtu amemuita. Hizi vitu havitusaidii,” Ichung’wah remarked.
He warned against false claims of abductions, noting that such allegations were being used to incite the public and sow discord. “If anybody alleges to have been abducted, they should be arrested and charged for misuse of their computers and cybercrimes. These characters are only trying to incite Kenyans,” he added.
Ichung’wah’s remarks highlight the growing need for stringent measures to address cybercrimes and prevent their exploitation for political agendas. He urged all stakeholders to uphold the rule of law and ensure digital platforms are used responsibly.
