William Kabogo, the newly sworn-in Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Information, Communication, and Digital Economy, has called for responsible social media use, addressing growing concerns over online conduct. Kabogo officially took over the ICT docket from Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi on Saturday in Nairobi, following a Cabinet reshuffle in December 2024. In his first public address as the new CS, Kabogo emphasized the Ministry’s plans to launch a sensitization campaign aimed at educating the public about data privacy protections and other critical digital-space rights.
Kabogo reassured the public that the Ministry’s efforts would not infringe on the freedom of expression, stressing that the goal was to foster respectful and responsible behavior online. He highlighted the concerning rise of digital technology misuse, particularly the viral AI-generated deepfake video depicting President William Ruto in a coffin. Kabogo expressed concern about such content, noting the harmful impact it could have on individuals and families.
“The minute you put someone in a coffin and depict someone in a coffin… it may be fun at your age of 20, but 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,” Kabogo remarked, underscoring the need for digital content to be handled with care and responsibility.
In response to growing online criticisms of President Ruto’s administration, Kabogo called for a national dialogue on the ethical use of digital platforms, particularly concerning misinformation and harmful content. The CS emphasized that the power of information should be used wisely to benefit society rather than perpetuate harm.
On a related note, Prime CS Mudavadi addressed concerns about the upcoming state visit by Dutch royals, which is set to take place in Nairobi from March 18 to 20. Despite a social media campaign calling for the cancellation of the visit, Mudavadi firmly stated that the planned trip would go ahead as scheduled. He rejected the notion that online campaigns could alter the country’s diplomatic relations, reaffirming Kenya’s solid ties with the Netherlands.
“We did not invite the King of Netherlands or the Royal Family through social media. There are government channels for such invitations,” Mudavadi asserted, brushing aside online rumors and reiterating Kenya’s strong relationship with the Netherlands, which is marked by significant investments and bilateral cooperation.
The remarks by both Kabogo and Mudavadi reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring digital spaces are used responsibly, while also safeguarding diplomatic interests amid rising online discourse.
