Social media users across the country have been put on notice over posting any content that might threaten peace, as the country prepares to go to the polls in August, this year.
Social media has grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years, something that has brought an oversight challenge to the authorities, given the many platforms being used.
The government, through the Communication Authority of Kenya, has urged users to ensure they don’t post any peace threatening messages, or else they’ll face consequences as provided by law.
The authority has also called on media houses to practice sober and unbiased reporting, as a way of preserving peace during and after the elections.
“We are in a position now to be able to do social media monitoring, I may not delve into the details, but I would like to caution the social media users that we will run after them in case they are going to hide behind the social media platforms,” said Francis Wangusi, Director General Communication Authority.
“News should not be presented in a way to give some people some advantage over their rivals. The code expects the broadcasters to restrain from deploying technological gimmick like doctoring pictures of political rallies to enlarge or diminish the crowd,” he added.
The media was accused of having played a key role in the spread of violence during the 2007 post-election violence, which saw thousands of people displaced and others killed.
The authority officers further revealed that they have spent close to Sh1 billion in social media monitoring tools, as they prepare for the job ahead.
“We have spent around Sh600 million for social media monitoring system. We have spent another sh400 million for a social media device system, which will help monitor closely the mobile phones and activities around phone,” he went on.