Nairobi —Parents who allow their children to access pornographic content online could soon face prosecution. That’s the firm message from Kenya’s new Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo.
In an interview aired on Radio Citizen, the CS called for greater accountability from parents and guardians, saying many are unknowingly exposing children to harmful material by failing to secure their devices.
“If a report gets to us that you gave your child an opportunity to watch pornography, we will charge you,” Kabogo warned. “You are spoiling your child.”
He described the situation as urgent, calling it a growing concern in a country where digital access is expanding rapidly yet online safety often falls through the cracks.
Looking Abroad for Solutions
Kabogo pointed to international models of child safety, including a system he observed recently in Geneva where underage users are issued special SIM cards that limit access to adult content.
“They cannot access some sites… and we will get there,” he said, indicating Kenya’s intention to adopt similar protections.
He added that the ministry is currently reviewing Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, aiming to tighten rules on harmful digital content, misinformation, and misuse of online platforms.
A Nation of “Ill Content”?
Kabogo was especially critical of the state of Kenya’s online spaces, citing growing trends of graphic, disturbing, or misleading content on social media.
“We are not gagging anyone,” he said, “but we are saying: behave morally.”
The CS referenced recent online stunts where individuals were filmed being placed in coffins, questioning whether such scenes were suitable for public view especially by children.
Targeting AI Abuse and Misinformation
Kabogo also spoke out against the misuse of artificial intelligence in creating and sharing doctored images of public figures. He argued that while media freedoms must be protected, they do not give licence to harass or mislead.
“We’ve embraced a nation of ill content,” he said. “What kind of future are we building for our children?”
Legal Backing
The government appears ready to act. Under Section 37 of Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act (2018), anyone found publishing or sharing obscene or intimate images of another person without consent can face a fine of up to KSh 200,000 or two years in prison, or both.
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