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The
National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on Friday
accused Facebook of contravening Kenya's constitution and laws
for failing to tackle hate speech and incitement on the platform
ahead of Aug. 9 national elections.
"We do not have a plan to shut down any of these platforms," Joe
Mucheru, the minister for information, communication and
technology, told Reuters. "Press freedom is one we cherish,
whether it is (traditional) media or social media."
His statement echoed that of the interior minister, Fred
Matiangi, who accused the NCIC of making haphazard decisions
over the weekend, and vowed that the platform will not be shut
down.
"They (NCIC) should have consulted widely because they don't
have the power to shut anybody down. They don't licence
anybody," Mucheru said.
When it issued its ultimatum, the NCIC said it was consulting
with the Communication Authority of Kenya, which regulates the
industry, adding that it would recommend suspension of
Facebook's operations if it does not comply.
Meta has taken "extensive steps" to weed out hate speech and
inflammatory content, and it is intensifying those efforts ahead
of the election, a company spokesperson told Reuters.
Mucheru agreed, adding that the platform has deleted 37,000 hate
speech related posts during the electioneering period.
Supporters of the leading presidential candidates, veteran
opposition leader Raila Odinga and deputy president William Ruto,
have used social media platforms to praise their candidates,
persuade others to join them or to accuse opposing sides of
various misdeeds.
Some of Kenya's 45 tribes have targeted each other during
violence in past polls, but Mucheru said this election is
different and the country is enjoying peace and calm in spite of
the heightened political activities.
(Reporting by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Toby Chopra)
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