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Francis Awino, President Bunge la Mwananchi gestures as he addresses the media during the commemoration of the International Day of World Social Justice by the Kenya Human Rights Commission, together with other civil society groups at Ufungamano House on February 20, 2024. PHOTO| WILFRED NYANGARESI
Bunge la Mwananchi president Francis Awino has criticised the government’s plan to restrict the use of popular Chinese social media platform TikTok by government officials.
Awino contends that such a move would directly infringe upon the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, particularly the freedom of expression.
“This decision is deeply concerning and goes against the principles of our Constitution, which gives people the right to freedom of expression for all citizens,” Awino told Nairobi News.
He further emphasised that government officials are temporarily in office, and that they have lives beyond their official duties and should not be unduly restricted in their personal online activities.
“Government officials are not permanent fixtures; they are there today but will be replaced tomorrow. They too are entitled to personal lives outside the confines of government work,” Awino added.
Moreover, Awino argued that existing regulations on social media platforms are sufficient to ensure responsible usage by government officials.
He asserted that officials are capable of exercising discretion and refraining from sharing sensitive government information on such platforms.
“It’s important to recognize that all social media platforms already have measures in place to regulate content. Government officials, being of sound mind, are fully capable of discerning what information is appropriate for sharing and what should remain confidential,” Awino reasoned.
Awino’s remarks come in response to the recent announcement by the Interior Ministry regarding the intention to curtail TikTok usage among government personnel.
The Ministry cited concerns over the protection of sensitive data and the security of Kenyan citizens as the rationale behind the decision.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki told Parliament the National Security Council (NSC) is currently dealing with the threats posed by social media platforms including TikTok.
“We are currently dealing with this matter of TikTok as the NSC. As you know, the Interior Ministry coordinates cyber security programmes on behalf of the country,” Kindiki said.
“We as the National Police Service (NPS) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) are working with the Ministry of Defence and that of ICT to guard our cyberspace from internal and external threats.”
Kindiki told the National Assembly’s Public Petitions committee that the NSC is toying with the idea of whether or not to ban public officials from using TikTok to protect sensitive data.
He said whereas there is no policy on the use of social media platforms such as TikTok by public officials, the NSC is handling the matter with a view of limiting its use.
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