Watch out what you are posting on social media-CS

The fight against cybercrime and computer misuse has been boosted by the unveiling of a secretariat tasked with detection, investigation and prosecution of such crimes.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and his ICT counterpart Joe Mucheru yesterday unveiled the National Computer and Cybercrime Co-ordination Committee (NCCC) which is tasked with consolidating action against cybercrime and operationalizing relevant laws.

Matiang’i yesterday said the secretariat will priorities the misuse of social media, in particular cyber bullying, which he described as a serious threat to national security and integration.

The CS, who officiated the launch of the Secretariat at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, said there will be a sustained crackdown against culprits especially in the run up to the General Election.

 “As we approach the General Election, our number one challenge is the misuse and abuse of social media.

With the launch, people who breach these laws will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.

The CS said digital communication and transactions were a growing reality of the public and private sector and urged all arms of government to invest in relevant training.

 He noted that the adoption of technology had seen a steady growth in cybercrime and other digital-driven crimes and challenged the players in law and order sectors, including the Judiciary, to incorporate digital training within its ranks.

 “Nations around the world are pumping resources into research on cybersecurity. Our conflicts are going to move to the digital space, and the judges must be capacitated enough to help us resolve them.”

He said unlike other countries, Kenya will not shut down the internet but will deal with those who breach the laws.

 “Some of us have gone to the bestial level. We will have to look for some of these people,” he said.

Mucheru said the new laws were necessary to support the digital economy and called for its stringent application.

“People have been giving public holidays on social media, killing others online, and even publishing content from different countries to mislead citizens. This habit must stop,” he said.

 Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho, who chairs the NCCC, said the unveiling of the secretariat will deter rampant abuse and character assassination on social media.