ICT and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo has reassured the public that the government does not intend to shut down social media platforms under normal circumstances, but has acknowledged that the government possesses the capacity to do so if national security concerns arise.

In a previous interview on a local TV station, Kabogo dismissed the notion of a social media shutdown, insisting that such a move was not under consideration.

"I would not envisage or imagine where we would switch off social media. The discussion of switching off is not on the table at all, and I want you to remove it even from yourself. It is not there," he said.

However, Kabogo later elaborated on the government's potential actions during a follow-up interview, clarifying that while there is no intention to block social media, the government does have the necessary tools to intervene in cases where national security is at risk.

“Of course, the capacity is there in case we have situations of national security importance. For example, you know what happened to Rwanda when the radios were used for genocide purposes. If that happens, we will switch them off,” Kabogo remarked, referencing the role media played in inciting violence during the Rwandan genocide.

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The two interviews reveal the government’s nuanced approach to social media regulation: a firm commitment to free expression while acknowledging the need for safeguards in the face of national security threats.

Kabogo was quick to reassure the public that the goal is not to curb freedom of speech, but to ensure responsible use of social media.

“As the new ICT and Digital Economy CS, I want Kenyans to be able to express themselves, but expressing yourself doesn’t mean you must be insulting or abusive,” Kabogo added, reiterating that conversations should remain respectful and constructive.

Furthermore, the CS proposed the creation of a direct engagement platform between the Ministry and the public to foster transparent dialogue on ICT issues.

Kabogo also emphasized the importance of accountability among social media platforms, stating, “We need to tell the people who own this platform, let’s be responsible. We've known that information causes war. We can have people start doing things because of information that is credible, good or bad.”

The Cabinet Secretary's comments aim to reassure Kenyans that the government’s primary focus is on responsible usage of social media, not on restricting access.

While the potential for social media shutdowns exists in cases of national security, Kabogo's statements indicate that such a move would only occur under extreme and rare circumstances.