National Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula, popularly known as “Papa wa Roma,” has defended the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, saying it is designed to protect families, especially children, from harmful online content — not to silence free speech as critics allege.
Speaking on Sunday during a service at St. Teresa’s Isanjiro Catholic Church in Malava Town, Kakamega County, Dr. Wetang’ula dismissed claims that the Act was repressive, saying it seeks to uphold moral values, counter violent extremism, and stop the spread of online cultism in Kenya.
“Sometimes, as a Catholic, I feel saddened when people spread falsehoods about this law. The Act is not meant to gag anyone or restrict legitimate expression,” said Wetang’ula. “It is meant to protect our families, especially our children, from harmful online content, deter violent extremism, and stop the spread of cult-like ideologies that prey on the young and vulnerable.”
Protecting families and children
The Speaker explained that while Kenya’s digital transformation has improved access to commerce, education, and information, it has also exposed society to cyberbullying, child pornography, misinformation, and online radicalization.
“It would be irresponsible of us as leaders to look away while children are being exposed to violent, pornographic, or extremist content online,” he said. “The moral foundation of society is at risk if digital spaces remain unregulated.”
Citing a case in the United States, where an adult was jailed for encouraging a minor’s suicide through online interaction, Wetang’ula said Kenya’s law borrows from international best practices that prioritize protecting children and the family unit.
“As a lawyer of many years, I can assure you this law is sound. Countries like the United States, France, Australia, and the United Kingdom have similar laws. Kenya cannot be left behind,” he said.
Targeting harmful online activity
Dr. Wetang’ula said the law empowers a special commission to identify, penalize, and take down websites promoting harmful material such as pornography, cultism, and violent extremism.
“We saw what happened in Shakahola, where innocent Kenyans lost their lives after being brainwashed through digital platforms. Such tragedies must never happen again,” he said.
As a parent, the Speaker said he was personally concerned about the content children are exposed to.
“When I leave my phone with my children, I want them to see messages that are decent and educational, not pornographic material. As parents and as a nation, we must protect our children because they are still in formative stages,” he said.
Wetang’ula commended the Catholic Church, particularly the Embu Diocese, for supporting the legislation, saying faith-based institutions play a crucial role in promoting responsible technology use.
“The Church has rightly said that the strength of the community is in the family unit — and that is exactly what this law seeks to protect,” he added.
Balancing freedom and responsibility
The Speaker emphasized that the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 strengthens mechanisms for detecting, preventing, and prosecuting digital offenses including cyber harassment, online fraud, radicalization, and identity theft.
“Freedom of expression comes with responsibility. When technology is abused to promote hate, misinformation, or to exploit children, the State must intervene in the interest of public safety and moral order,” he stated.
He also warned against the rise of digital cult movements, saying Kenya cannot allow online platforms to become recruitment spaces for extremist or destructive ideologies.
“We cannot sit back and watch as digital spaces become breeding grounds for cults and radical groups. This law gives us the tools to protect our youth,” Wetang’ula said.
He urged parents, educators, and religious leaders to guide children on safe internet use and called on technology companies to cooperate with government agencies to remove harmful content promptly.
Defending the law’s intentions
National Assembly Majority Leader Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, who accompanied the Speaker to the service, also defended the amendment, arguing that it was modeled to protect Kenyan families from the effects of unregulated online content.
“Critics have been spreading misinformation that the Act undermines freedom of expression. That is false. The amendment was designed to protect families that have suffered due to explicit or extremist material online,” said Ichung’wah.
He said the law empowers authorities to shut down websites promoting pornography, cultism, or violent extremism.
“If your website promotes education or business, you have nothing to fear. But if it spreads pornography or extremist propaganda, it will be pulled down,” he warned.
Originally enacted in 2018 and amended in 2025, the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act criminalizes offenses such as unauthorized access to computer systems, publication of false information, cyber harassment, identity theft, and online child exploitation.
Wetang’ula said Parliament remains open to reviewing the law should legitimate concerns arise but stressed that protecting children and national security is non-negotiable.
“This law is a living instrument. If there are genuine issues, Parliament will listen. But its core intent — to protect our people from digital-age dangers — will not change,” he concluded.
