Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo warned Kenyans against widespread misinformation surrounding the recently amended Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2024, saying much of what is circulating online is “misleading or entirely inaccurate.”
Dr Omollo urged Kenyans to read the real Act ll themselves rather than rely on “media summaries or social media commentaries,” noting that the amendments are intended to strengthen Kenya’s cybersecurity framework, not restrict freedoms.
“The amendments are progressive, expanding the mandate of the National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee (NC4) by empowering it to issue lawful directives against websites involved in child pornography, human trafficking or terrorism,” he said.
The PS said the law introduces new provisions to criminalise deliberate online actions that push victims to suicide, a growing global concern linked to cyberbullying and digital harassment.
He added that the amendments demonstrate the government’s commitment to protecting citizens from emerging digital harms while balancing innovation and safety in cyberspace.
“This law comes at a crucial time, as Kenya accelerates the growth of its Digital Economy through the Digital Superhighway, one of the key pillars of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),” Dr Omollo said.
He emphasised that a secure and trustworthy cyberspace is essential for digital innovation, e-commerce, online service delivery and the protection of citizens’ data and livelihoods.
The amended Act, which President William Ruto signed into law last week, has sparked debate online, with critics expressing fears that it could be used to stifle free speech. However, government officials maintain that the changes target organised cybercrime and online exploitation, not ordinary users or political dissent.
The NC4, established under the original 2018 Act, is now expected to take a more active role in combating digital threats through coordinated enforcement, public education, and rapid response to cyber incidents.
Read: All You Need to Know About the Amended Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act
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