COTU urges Kenyans to support Bill seeking to criminalize pornographic content

The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) has urged Kenyans to support a Bill seeking to criminalize possession or publishing of pornographic content.

Anybody sharing pornographic material on the internet will risk a Ksh. 20million fine or 25 year jail term or both if the Bill is approved.

“The proposed law, as captured by our local dailies, seeks to amend the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act to introduce harsh penalties for any violation of the same. Foremost, it must be noted that this is an issue of public health concern and not freedom of speech and or access to information as provided in the Bill of Rights in the 2010 Constitution of Kenya because the production and promotion of pornographic materials have an impact on not just the social well-being of the youth, workers and society at large but also sexual health,” COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said in a statement.

According to him, censorship of pornography will go a long way in also promoting and ensuring workers demonstrate good ethical behavior at their place of work as it has been noted, in a number of studies, that consumption of this content can be directly linked to unethical behavior at places of work.

He also noted that the Bill is important because workers’ safety is a major concern to COTU (K) and its tripartite partners: Federation of Kenya Employers and Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

“Finally, and because we should, at all times, be concerned about the future generation, this censorship will go a long way in protecting our children who are currently being exposed to pornographic content whilst on the internet. Over and above this, the Bill will address the now common menace among our children that has been escalated by pedophiles,” Mr. Atwoli added.

The COTU boss urged all legislatures and Kenyans of goodwill to support Garissa Township MP Aden Duale in actualizing this Bill saying the union fully backs the proposal.