There is an ongoing crackdown on social media users. Photo/AdomOnline.com
Kenyans have been asked to stay vigilant while publishing content on social media or else face the wrath of law.
Speaking in Nairobi, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Vice chairperson Irene Wanyoike said the watchdog would take stern action against those found to have misused their Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp accounts to stir up ethnic animosity.
Currently, the NCIC is probing at least 250 people for posting hate messages on their social media pages.
Ms Wanyoike confirmed that 27 suspects had been charged and their cases were still ongoing.
In a bid to monitor the online conversations, the watchdog body has trained 2,000 police officers equipping them with the know-how of recording hate speeches among social media users.
The NCIC vice chairperson said at least 120 monitors based in various parts of the country to trail suspected hatemongers and collect information for scrutiny.
She stated that all materials found to contain hate speech are then forwarded to police for action.
Before and after the August general elections, Kenyans on social media were blamed for spreading political messages that could trigger tension in the country. This reality continues to bite even as the country heads to a fresh presidential poll.