MALAVA, Kenya — National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has defended the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, describing it as a moral and legal safeguard designed to protect children, families, and national security from the dangers of unregulated digital spaces.
Speaking during a church service at St. Teresa’s Isanjiro Catholic Church in Malava, Kakamega County, on Sunday, Wetang’ula dismissed criticism that the new amendments were aimed at curbing freedom of expression.
He insisted that the law promotes responsible digital citizenship and shields Kenyans—especially the youth—from online exploitation, pornography, radicalisation, and cultism.
“The Act is not meant to gag anyone or restrict legitimate expression,” Wetang’ula said. “It is meant to protect our families, especially our children, from harmful online content, deter violent extremism, and stop the spread of cult-like ideologies that prey on the young and vulnerable.”
The Speaker said that while Kenya’s digital revolution has transformed education, communication, and business, it has also created new social risks, including cyberbullying, online grooming, and misinformation.
Citing global precedents, Wetang’ula noted that similar laws exist in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia, arguing that Kenya cannot afford to lag in protecting its digital spaces.
“As a lawyer of many years, I can assure you this law is sound,” he added. “It borrows from international best practices that prioritise the protection of children and the family unit.”
Wetang’ula said the law empowers a dedicated commission to identify, penalise, and take down websites spreading extremist ideologies, pornographic material, or cult-related content.
He linked the legislation to the lessons learned from the Shakahola tragedy, in which dozens died after being radicalised through digital platforms.
“We cannot sit back and watch as digital spaces become breeding grounds for cults and radical groups. This law gives us the tools to protect our youth,” he said.
The Speaker further appealed to parents to monitor their children’s online activities, warning that exposure to harmful content could erode the moral foundation of Kenyan society.
“When I leave my phone with my children, I want them to see messages that are decent and educational—not pornographic material,” he said.
Wetang’ula lauded the Catholic Church, particularly the Embu Diocese, for supporting the Act and reinforcing family values. He said faith-based institutions were crucial partners in promoting ethical digital conduct and restoring moral order.
The Speaker also emphasised that the Act went through extensive stakeholder consultation before being passed and signed into law by President William Ruto, countering claims that it was rushed or politically motivated.
“Those who say the law is oppressive are wrong. It is progressive, forward-looking, and ensures that as we enjoy digital freedoms, we also protect citizens from abuse, exploitation, and manipulation,” he stated.
He reiterated that Parliament remains open to reviewing the Act if legitimate concerns arise, but stressed that protecting children and national security is non-negotiable.
“This law is a living instrument. If there are legitimate concerns, Parliament will always listen. But its core intent—to protect our people from the dangers of the digital age—will not change.”
Accompanying him, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah echoed the Speaker’s sentiments, saying the amendments target online exploitation and religious extremism, not free expression.
“Critics spreading misinformation that the Act undermines freedom of expression are wrong,” Ichung’wah said. “The law was modeled to protect Kenyan families—families that have suffered due to unregulated online content.”
He added that the Act empowers the commission to shut down websites promoting pornography, cultism, or violent extremism, while protecting legitimate online businesses and educational platforms.
Originally enacted in 2018, the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act criminalises offenses such as unauthorised access, cyber harassment, identity theft, publication of false information, and online child exploitation.
The 2025 amendments strengthen enforcement, enhance cross-border cooperation, and establish new frameworks for digital ethics, content moderation, and data protection, underscoring Kenya’s growing effort to balance technological freedom with moral responsibility.
