NCIC Urges Responsible Social Media Use Ahead of Campaign Season
As the country approaches the campaign period, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) is urging social media users to exercise restraint and strictly follow the law to prevent the spread of hate speech online.
To promote this sensitization the commission has rolled out an initiative seeking to promote social cohesion address hate speech and foster gender equality across nine counties.
Speaking on behalf of the commission, NCIC Deputy Director of Corporate Communications Oliver Matet announced the rollout of several key initiatives aimed at curbing dangerous speech.
These include new social media guidelines, a gender analysis on harmful rhetoric, and the Kenya National Action Plan Against Hate Speech. The programs will initially be implemented in five counties: Isiolo, Mandera, Garissa, Laikipia, Marsabit and others.
Matet explained that the guidelines are designed to shape responsible online engagement, promote peaceful communication, and educate the public on identifying and preventing hate speech and incitement on social media platforms.
The sensitization efforts will target key stakeholders, including bloggers, journalists, civil society groups, county government officials, and local administrators, to ensure a coordinated approach in maintaining national unity during the campaign season.
Most of the participants in surveys conducted considered ethnic based speech as the most widespread and damaging.
Barnabas Esunyen the chief officer for Cohesion Isiolo county welcomed the move and cautioned the public on exercising restraint while using social media to promote peace and cohesion.
Barnabas said the county government of Isiolo was also in the process of developing a policy that creates a guideline on promotion of peace and cohesion among the different communities of Isiolo.
Wanjiru Mburu a youth leader said that the move by NCIC was welcome in the report that was being launched which also had captured issues to do with radicalization with Isiolo being among areas affected.
Wanjiru also urged youths to be conversant with the cyber crimes bill that was signed recently into law.
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