#Connected2016: New policies on use of social media to be introduced in Kenya

Speaking during the eighth Connected Summit, the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of ICT said that the process of regulating the use of social media in Kenya was underway and the ministry was currently at the multi stakeholders’ discussions level.

“The last review of this regulations was done in 2006, this is close to ten years down. In a span of ten years a lot has happened from 4G network roll out and now looking at 5G there is need to have some of this policies reviewed and also new regulations put in place,” said Mr. Mucheru.

The move by the Government shouldn’t come as a surprise that regulators and organizations a like struggle to set and enforce guidelines for social media activities. The rise of Social Media is rapidly transforming the way we interact with people and customers and brands. With it clear that social media is here to stay regulators are playing catch up to address these new layers of complexity.

It is only last month that, the Government of Uganda blocked the use of social media in Uganda during the election period. In some countries, the use of social media has been banned severally but the Human Rights Organisations have moved into place condemning the shut down of some Internet and Mobile money services.

Also the move comes as the country gears up for the 2017 general elections. In the past years a couple of people have been arrested and prosecuted due to misuse of social media.