National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
Parliament intends to pass into law a bill that seeks to punish cyber crimes.The Computer and Cyber Crimes Bill will target cyberbullies, stalkers, hackers, peddlers of fake news and those who prey on children on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.Aden Duale, House Majority Leader, has already published the bill in the wake of revelations by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics that Kenya enjoys high internet penetration, standing at 54.8%.''The Bill is long overdue in Kenya. It was put together borrowing from international best practices. We will ask MPs and Kenyans to support it.'' Duale told the Sunday Nation.67% of Kenyans are active internet users according to a report by Jumia Business Intelligence and GSMA mobile.Abuse of social media has been an issue in Kenya especially during electioneering periods that have seen social media users trade insults. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has in the past tried to come up with regulations aimed at governing social media use but has not quite succeeded in curbing hate speech.
The bill if passed will impose stiff penalties for offenders.
For example, hackers may be subjected to a fine not exceeding 20 million shillings or a prison term not exceeding twenty years.