Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo Gitau appeared before the Senate on Wednesday to address growing concerns over online safety for children, cyberbullying, harmful digital content, and misuse of personal data.
The CS faced questions from senators during a plenary session at Parliament Buildings after concerns were raised regarding the increasing exposure of minors to online exploitation as internet access and digital platform use continue expanding across the country.
The questions were tabled by Senator Hamida Ali Kibwana, who sought clarification on the legal and institutional measures the Government has put in place to protect children in the digital space.
While responding to the Senate, Kabogo said the Government has anchored child online protection measures within the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees children protection from abuse, exploitation, neglect, and harmful practices.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that several laws are already being used to address online abuse and digital crimes affecting children. These include the Data Protection Act, the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, the Sexual Offences Act, and the Kenya Information and Communications Act.
Kabogo further told senators that different State agencies are currently working together to strengthen child online protection measures. Among the institutions involved are the Communications Authority of Kenya, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, the Media Council of Kenya, the Kenya Film Classification Board, and the National Computer and Cybercrimes Co-ordination Committee.
According to the CS, the Government has intensified enforcement and compliance measures to ensure digital platforms introduce safeguards that protect minors online.
These measures include parental control tools, reporting systems for harmful content, age-appropriate restrictions, and stricter rules on how children’s personal data is collected and handled by online service providers.
Kabogo also revealed that the recently enhanced Code of Conduct for Media Practice, 2025, now places tougher obligations on media houses and digital platforms to shield minors from exploitative content, online abuse, and manipulative advertising targeting children.
He told the Senate that Kenya is also studying international best practices from countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia to improve child online safety laws and strengthen accountability for digital platforms.
The Ministry is additionally preparing future policy interventions under the National ICT Policy Guidelines and the National Plan of Action to Tackle Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse for the 2027–2031 period.
Kabogo concluded by reaffirming the Government’s commitment to creating a safer digital environment for children through stronger legislation, digital literacy programmes, and increased accountability for online service providers operating in Kenya.
