Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo, has defended the newly enacted Cyber and Computer Crime Act, stating that it is designed to protect Kenyans from the dangers of cyberbullying, online fraud, and other forms of digital abuse, rather than to limit freedom of expression.
His remarks come amid growing criticism from sections of the public who have accused the government of introducing a law that could be used to silence dissent on online platforms.
Speaking during an interview, Kabogo described the law as a necessary measure to restore order in Kenya’s expanding digital space. He said that the country had reached a point where unregulated online activity was causing real harm to individuals, families, and institutions.
“We have lost people to depression and suicide because of cyberbullying,” he explained, adding that the new legal framework was essential to curb the psychological and social damage caused by online harassment.
The Cyber and Computer Crime Act, which President William Ruto signed into law on October 15, 2025, seeks to amend the existing Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act to address emerging digital threats and modernise enforcement mechanisms. Kabogo said the new law gives authorities clearer powers to prosecute offenders who previously exploited loopholes in legislation.
“For years, people have reported cybercrime incidents to police, and nothing could be done because the law was not clear,” he said, noting that the amendments would help law enforcement respond more effectively to online offences.
Kabogo dismissed claims that the legislation was politically motivated or intended to suppress critical voices, emphasising that it was a citizen-centred law. “Governments come and go, but laws remain. There is no intention to create laws that work against Kenyans,” he stated. He stressed that the law’s purpose was to safeguard ordinary users from exploitation and abuse that thrive in unregulated online environments.
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According to Kabogo, Kenya experiences an estimated two million cyberattacks every day, making it one of Africa’s most targeted digital economies. He warned that online platforms are increasingly being used by criminal networks for child exploitation, identity theft, financial scams, and the spread of extremist content.
“There are syndicates involved in child trafficking and other serious crimes operating online. We cannot allow the internet to become a breeding ground for such activities,” he said.
The law introduces several key amendments meant to close existing gaps in cybercrime legislation. It enhances the powers of the National Computer and Cybercrimes Co-ordination Committee (NC4), allowing it to issue directives restricting access to websites or applications found to promote illegal activities, terrorism, child pornography, or extremist practices.
The government argues that this measure will help prevent harmful content from circulating widely and protect minors and vulnerable users from exposure to indecent material.
In addition, the amendments broaden the scope of cyber harassment offences. Any individual who communicates in a way that could cause physical harm, damage to property, or emotional distress to another person or to those connected to them now faces a fine of up to twenty million shillings or a prison sentence of up to ten years. The same penalties apply to those who distribute grossly offensive or indecent material likely to harm others.
The law also expands provisions against phishing, a common form of online fraud in which criminals trick users into revealing personal information. Under the revised Act, anyone found creating or operating a website or sending messages with the intent to unlawfully obtain personal data will face a fine of up to three hundred thousand shillings or imprisonment for up to three years.
This amendment targets both email-based and mobile phone identity theft schemes, which have become increasingly sophisticated in Kenya.
Another major addition to the law is the introduction of the offence of unauthorised SIM-swap under a newly proposed section. This offence criminalises the unlawful alteration or takeover of another person’s SIM card with the intent to commit fraud. Those found guilty risk a fine of up to two hundred thousand shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
Kabogo insisted that these provisions are necessary to protect Kenyans from digital exploitation and restore trust in the use of online platforms.
“This law protects Kenyans, not the government,” he said, reiterating that the legislation targets offenders who exploit the internet to harm others. He further argued that the law is only “harsh to those on the wrong side of it,” adding that regulation was crucial to prevent Kenya’s online space from descending into disorder.
The Cabinet Secretary’s remarks come as the government begins implementing the new law amid mixed public reaction. Supporters view it as an important step toward securing Kenya’s rapidly growing digital economy, while critics fear it could grant authorities excessive power to monitor and restrict online activity. Nevertheless, Kabogo maintains that the law will serve as a deterrent to criminal behaviour and a safeguard for digital users.
With cyber threats on the rise and the internet increasingly influencing social and economic life, the government says the new legal framework will enable Kenya to adapt to modern challenges while protecting citizens’ rights.
Kabogo concluded by urging Kenyans to familiarise themselves with the new law, assuring that its intent is not to limit freedom but to secure the digital space for responsible use.
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