The Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has allayed fears that the government will shut down social media platforms during the August general elections.


Matiang’i was speaking in Naivasha, Nakuru County while launching the stakeholders' workshop on Kenya’s Cyber Security Strategy 2022-2026 that incorporates all government and private sector players in developing a national cyber strategy.

The CS said the government is counting on the cybersecurity strategy being developed to counter online crimes ahead of the August general election.

Matiangi said the strategy came at the opportune time to help build the police capacity in cyberspace.

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“We are approaching elections and the big debate is how we are going to behave with each other. The strategy could not have come at a better time as it will help police to build capacity in cyberspace,” Matiang’i said.


Matiang’i noted the country is headed towards an election therefore there is an increase in circulation of fake news and unusual misuse of social media while cyberspace has been frustrating to police officers even as they deal with both internal and external cases.

That being the case, Matiang’i assured Kenyans that the government is not about to subject its citizens to archaic rules such as shutting down the internet.

However, he charged the political class to be responsible.

“No amount of insults will make us engage in such acts, but in the same breath, we expect those who will engage in politics to behave responsibly,” Matiang’i said.


The CS noted that technology has brought an additional threat that can disrupt economic growth, security and critical infrastructure.