CS Kabogo Details New Laws to Crack Down on Online Child Abuse

Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo Gitau, on Wednesday, May 13, appeared before the Senate plenary, where he detailed new and existing legal measures aimed at protecting children from online exploitation, cyberbullying, harmful digital content and misuse of personal data.

The session held at Parliament Buildings followed questions raised by Senator Hamida Ali Kibwana, who sought clarification on the legal, regulatory and institutional safeguards the Government has established to protect minors as internet access and digital platform usage continue to expand across the country.

Addressing senators, Kabogo said the Government had anchored child online protection measures within the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees every child protection from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices and exploitative labour.

He noted that the rapid growth of digital platforms had necessitated stronger interventions to shield children from emerging cyber threats.

“The Government has anchored child online protection measures within the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees every child the right to protection from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices and exploitative labour,” Kabogo told the Senate.

Existing Legal Frameworks

The Cabinet Secretary explained that the Ministry, working together with relevant State agencies, had operationalized several legal frameworks to address online abuse and unlawful digital practices affecting minors.

Among the laws currently being enforced are the Data Protection Act, the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, the Sexual Offences Act and the Kenya Information and Communications Act.

According to Kabogo, the laws are intended to combat cyber harassment, online exploitation, exposure to harmful content and unlawful processing of children’s personal information by digital platforms and online service providers.

“The Ministry, together with relevant State agencies, has operationalized various legal frameworks including the Data Protection Act, the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, the Sexual Offences Act and the Kenya Information and Communications Act to address online abuse, cyber harassment, exposure to harmful content and unlawful processing of children’s personal information,” he said.

Kabogo further informed senators that several Government agencies were collaboratively implementing child online protection programmes across the country.

The agencies include 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.

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Tougher Compliance Measures

The CS said the Government had strengthened enforcement and compliance mechanisms to compel digital platforms and service providers to adopt child-sensitive safeguards.

He said online platforms were now expected to implement parental controls, reporting tools, age-appropriate content restrictions and responsible data collection practices to ensure children are protected while using digital services.

“Government has strengthened enforcement and compliance mechanisms to ensure digital platforms and service providers adopt child-sensitive safeguards such as parental controls, reporting tools, age-appropriate content restrictions and responsible data collection practices,” Kabogo stated.

Kabogo also disclosed that the recently enhanced Code of Conduct for Media Practice, 2025, now imposes stricter obligations on media enterprises and digital platforms in relation to the protection of minors.

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International Benchmarks and Future Policies

The Cabinet Secretary told the Senate that Kenya had also undertaken research and policy assessments aimed at understanding emerging online risks affecting children in the digital space.

He said the Ministry was currently reviewing international best practices from jurisdictions including the United Kingdom, Australia and the European Union to strengthen Kenya’s online child protection framework.

“The Ministry is currently reviewing international best practices from jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, Australia and the European Union to strengthen Kenya’s child online protection framework, particularly in areas relating to platform accountability, age verification systems and child safety by design standards,” he told senators.

Kabogo further revealed that the Government was developing 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.

He concluded by reaffirming the Government’s commitment to creating a safer digital environment for children through stronger legislation, inter-agency collaboration, digital literacy programmes and enhanced accountability for online service providers operating within the country.

“The Government remains committed to building a safer digital environment for children through strengthened legislation, inter-agency collaboration, digital literacy programmes and enhanced accountability for online service providers operating within the country,” Kabogo said.

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An illustration photo from Cyber Management Alliance.