Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced on Saturday that the Kenyan government will take a firm stance against individuals misusing social media platforms.
Speaking at a funeral in Siongiroi, Bomet County, the CS emphasized that offenders will face arrest and prosecution as part of a broader initiative to enhance law and order amid rising public concerns over abductions and crime.
Murkomen stated, “The government’s business is not to abduct people but to arrest and charge them in court.” His remarks follow recent allegations of enforced disappearances, which have sparked protests across the country. Activists have been vocal about the plight of citizens reportedly taken by government agents, with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reporting at least 82 cases of abductions in 2024 alone. Disturbingly, many reported victims have yet to return, fueling fears that the situation is worsening.
Attending the funeral of Ian Kiprotich Singoei, a young engineer who was recently found deceased after going missing, Murkomen also addressed the troubling connection between social media misuse and public safety.
President William Ruto, speaking a day earlier, urged young people to avoid engaging in harmful online behavior, particularly the practice of depicting leaders in coffins, which he deemed dangerous and counterproductive.
Murkomen affirmed the government’s commitment to uphold the law, stating that, “From now henceforth, we will apply the law without hesitation, regardless of personal relationships.”
He acknowledged the need for a balance between freedom of speech and accountability, reinforcing that provisions in the Penal Code allow for action against those spreading harmful narratives online.
The CS’s remarks highlight a growing frustration among the Kenyan leadership regarding social media’s role in promoting dissent and misinformation.
The ongoing issues surrounding abductions, coupled with rising crime rates, result in mounting pressure on the government to restore public confidence in law enforcement.
