The government has issued a directive mandating social media companies to establish physical offices within the country’s borders, citing an alarming surge in online abuse and harmful content.
This bold step, announced after a meeting between Interior PS Dr Raymond Omollo and representatives of social media and telecommunications firms, signals a new chapter in the regulation of digital platforms in Kenya.
In a statement the Ministry of Interior said, “The increasing misuse of social media, including harassment, hate speech and incitement to violence, necessitates immediate and decisive measures.”
To tackle these challenges, the government requires all social media platforms operating in Kenya to establish a local presence, a move intended to enhance accountability and tighten controls on disinformation and online manipulation. “
To ensure responsibility and accountability in the face of rising disinformation, social media manipulation, and online abuse, all social media organisations operating in the country must establish a physical presence within our jurisdiction,” the ministry added.
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With only Google (which owns YouTube) and Microsoft (the parent company of LinkedIn) having offices in Kenya, this directive places most other platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X, squarely in the spotlight.
“Strict compliance with this requirement is expected,” the ministry warned, hinting at stern repercussions for those who fail to adhere.
The push comes as social media increasingly becomes a tool for activism in Kenya.
Many young people have used these platforms to rally against corruption, oppressive taxation policies, and the disappearance of government critics.
While the directive seeks to address the misuse of digital platforms, it raises questions about the balance between regulation and freedom of expression in the country.
As the world watches, the new policy could set a precedent for other nations grappling with the challenges of online content management, but the ultimate test lies in how this enforcement unfolds on the ground.