Chiefs to monitor Kenyans’ social media activities ahead of August polls
By Joshua Cheloti
The Ministry of Interior and National Coordination has directed chiefs across the country to start monitoring the social media activities of Kenyans as the general election nears.
Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i issued the directive on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, during a meeting that brought together all the chiefs in the country.
The meeting was held in Nyeri County.
Speaking during the meeting, Matiang’i said the administrators should from now henceforth be more vigilant in not only monitoring but also taking action against social media posts by politicians and their supporters that are likely to disrupt peace and unity.
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File image of Interior CS Fred Matiang'i. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
According to the CS, the move was necessary due to the rising political temperatures the country is witnessing with campaigns for the August 9 poll heating up.
Social media has been flagged by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) as one of the areas where hate speech will likely be propagated by politicians during the current political season.
The platform is also being used by politicians for spreading propaganda and fake news.
Under the new directive, the chiefs will be expected to monitor and report the use of words that have been listed as having the potential to spread animosity and hate among communities.
NCIC recently listed 34 words it said should not be used by politicians while on the campaign trail, among them the popular ‘Hatupangwingwi’ a move that has been criticized by a section of politicians.
Deputy President William Ruto released a remix of the ‘Hatupangwingwi’ song just hours after NCIC listed it as a potential hate speech word.
And with chiefs now set to play a key role in ensuring hate speech perpetrators are brought to book, Dr. Matiang’i has asked them to execute their mandate without fear or favor.
There have been concerns that with President Uhuru Kenyatta supporting Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga, the government was out to use the administrators in the campaigns.
During the meeting with the chiefs, the CS also said the government is in the process of purchasing 10,000 motorbikes for the chiefs to facilitate their mobility.
“The GoK will procure 10,000 motorbikes for chiefs and assistant chiefs. Dr. Fred Matiang'i says this will boost the 5,000 availed to some of the 12,000 administrators. The bikes will facilitate mobility and enhance service delivery,” the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination posted on their Facebook page.
File image of Interior CS Fred Matiang'i. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
According to the CS, the move was necessary due to the rising political temperatures the country is witnessing with campaigns for the August 9 poll heating up.
Social media has been flagged by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) as one of the areas where hate speech will likely be propagated by politicians during the current political season.
The platform is also being used by politicians for spreading propaganda and fake news.
Under the new directive, the chiefs will be expected to monitor and report the use of words that have been listed as having the potential to spread animosity and hate among communities.
NCIC recently listed 34 words it said should not be used by politicians while on the campaign trail, among them the popular ‘Hatupangwingwi’ a move that has been criticized by a section of politicians.
Deputy President William Ruto released a remix of the ‘Hatupangwingwi’ song just hours after NCIC listed it as a potential hate speech word.
And with chiefs now set to play a key role in ensuring hate speech perpetrators are brought to book, Dr. Matiang’i has asked them to execute their mandate without fear or favor.
There have been concerns that with President Uhuru Kenyatta supporting Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga, the government was out to use the administrators in the campaigns.
During the meeting with the chiefs, the CS also said the government is in the process of purchasing 10,000 motorbikes for the chiefs to facilitate their mobility.
“The GoK will procure 10,000 motorbikes for chiefs and assistant chiefs. Dr. Fred Matiang'i says this will boost the 5,000 availed to some of the 12,000 administrators. The bikes will facilitate mobility and enhance service delivery,” the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination posted on their Facebook page. What's Your Reaction?
