Social media admins warned ahead of repeat poll

Bloggers and social media administrators have been warned they could face hefty fines and up to five years imprisonment for content appearing on their platforms during the October 26 electioneering period.

In a joint statement by the Communications Authority of Kenya and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), social media administrators will be found personally liable for user generated content that is found to be false or inciting violence.

“It shall be the responsibility of the Administrator to moderate and control content and discussions on their platform. Social media platform administrators will be held liable for any hate speech posts allowed in the forum,” reads the statement signed by Communications Authority Director General, Francis Wangusi and NCIC Chair, Francis Ole Kaparo.

The statement also urges broadcasters to manage their social media sites responsibly so as to avoid posting “divisive and undesirable user generated content.”

“Broadcasters are advised to exercise caution during this sensitive period to avoid giving hate mongers a platform to propagate hate speech, ethnic contempt and incitement to violence,” the statement continues.

The statement by the two agencies is aimed at bloggers, online news sites, political leaders and their followers so as to curb misuse of social media platforms.