William Kabogo, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary nominee for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Digital Economy, has advocated for stricter social media regulation during his parliamentary vetting.
Speaking during his vetting in Parliament yesterday, Mr Kabogo emphasized that while freedom of expression is enshrined in the country’s laws, it should not be exercised at the expense of others’ rights.
“Young people must understand that freedom of one person should not infringe on the freedom of another. The laws, such as those addressing computer misuse, are in place, but enforcement needs strengthening, and regular reviews are necessary,” Mr Kabogo stated.
The former Kiambu Governor highlighted the importance of fostering ethical behavior online, noting that today’s Generation Z and millennials will soon become parents and will not want to see harmful practices perpetuated on the internet.
“Today they are Gen Zs, but in a couple of years, they will be fathers,” he remarked, urging the government to engage with the younger generation to promote positive and constructive use of cyberspace.
Since the introduction of the controversial Financial Bill 2024, Kenyans have increasingly turned to social media as a powerful tool to shape political discourse and influence public opinion.
Platforms like X, Facebook, and TikTok have become arenas for heated debates, mass mobilization, and grassroots activism.
Hashtags such as #RejectFinanceBill2024 and #KenyaDecides trended nationwide, amplifying voices of dissent and forcing policymakers to address public concerns.
Strengthening Data Protection Laws
Mr Kabogo also pledged to bolster Kenya’s data protection laws amid growing concerns over privacy breaches.
“Protecting the personal information of Kenyans is critical in this digital age,” he said, committing to a legislative agenda that prioritizes citizens’ privacy.
Backing why he was suited for the position, he highlighted his hands-on experience in technology-driven management during his tenure as the Governor of Kiambu County.
He shared that his efforts to digitize the county’s revenue collection system resulted in a dramatic increase in annual revenues, from KSh 800 million to KSh 2.7 billion within 14 months.
Additionally, he noted that he implemented digital health systems to streamline service delivery in county hospitals and introduced a management dashboard for overseeing operations across 10 ministries.
“This experience gives me a head start as I view a minister’s role as both a manager and a leader,” he noted.
From MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) to the Digital Economy
Despite lacking formal computer science qualifications, Mr Kabogo expressed confidence in his technical knowledge, citing his early engagement with computers in 1992.
“I was familiar with commands like ‘do cd’ and ‘change directory.’
This gives me a solid foundation in understanding ICT operations,” he said.
From Politics to Policy
Mr Kabogo’s nomination follows a diverse political career, starting with his education at St. George’s Ruiru Primary School and Thika Technical School, culminating in a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Punjab University in India.
He entered politics in 2002, served as Juja MP, and became the Governor of Kiambu in 2013.
His recent political initiatives include founding the Tujibebe Wakenya Party in 2021, which later allied with Kenya Kwanza in 2022.
If confirmed, Mr Kabogo’s role in the Cabinet would mark a new chapter in his public service career.
