A passionate Senate debate on Wednesday highlighted significant shortcomings in Kenya’s efforts to shield children from online exploitation, cyberbullying, and harmful digital content, as Information, Communication and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo acknowledged that the majority of betting companies operating in the nation lack proper registration.
Testifying before the Senate to address concerns raised by Hamida Ali Kibwana, the Cabinet Secretary presented a disturbing account of weak enforcement, insufficient oversight, and legal gaps that continue to place Kenyan minors at risk in the digital landscape.
The session, overseen by the Speaker of the Senate, centered on the government’s readiness to combat increasing incidents of cyberbullying, online exploitation, harmful advertising, and predatory data harvesting practices directed at children and young people.
Senator Kibwana sought explanations regarding the legal, regulatory, and administrative measures currently implemented to protect minors from detrimental online activities, including gambling and exposure to inappropriate material. She inquired whether the Ministry had conducted any evaluation of the extent to which Kenyan children have been subjected to manipulative advertising and unsafe digital environments during the past five years.
Commencing his testimony, Kabogo apologized to the Senate for his failure to appear on April 29, 2026, the initially planned date for presenting the ministry’s response. The Senator also requested clarification on whether Kenya was progressing toward adopting internationally recognized safety-by-design standards comparable to those implemented in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the European Union.
In his response, Kabogo presented a 40-page report to the Senate, characterizing it as an unusually forthright assessment of the nation’s digital safety challenges. While referencing constitutional safeguards under Articles 28, 29, 31, and 53, the CS admitted that enforcement mechanisms remain weak and fragmented.
One of the most striking findings from the report pertained to the gambling and gaming sector. According to data from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, 224 gaming and betting companies had been identified in Kenya, yet only 15 possess full registration.
This disclosure prompted sharp criticism from Karungo wa Thang’wa, who accused the authorities of permitting unregulated entities to continue collecting sensitive personal data from Kenyans, including minors.
Senator Karungo questioned why companies operating outside the legal framework were still allowed to collect user information despite clear concerns highlighted in the Ministry’s own report.
“This response is unusually candid because it openly acknowledges weak enforcement and inadequate accountability,” Senator Karungo noted, warning that children remain susceptible to exploitation while authorities appear incapable of controlling rogue operators.
Kabogo further revealed that the Ministry had not conducted a dedicated national assessment on children’s online exposure during the past five years, though a University of Nairobi study is currently in progress.
The CS informed senators that the government is now pursuing stricter supervision of global digital platforms operating within the country. He disclosed that companies such as Meta, TikTok, and X are being required to establish physical offices in Kenya to ensure compliance with local regulations and enhance accountability.
Kabogo added that satellite internet provider Starlink had been granted temporary operating licenses on the condition that it establishes local offices within three months.
Other senators utilized the session to raise broader concerns regarding digital safety and governance.
Danson Mungatana questioned the Ministry’s readiness for the next General Election, cautioning that escalating online hate speech and misinformation could compromise national unity and electoral integrity.
Another senator, identified as Mutinda, expressed concerns over the shortage of cybersecurity professionals in the nation and inquired about governmental plans to strengthen Kenya’s digital security workforce.
Senator Eddie pressed the Cabinet Secretary on the absence of a comprehensive framework to hold social media platforms accountable, similar to the European Union’s Digital Services Act. He argued that platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram continue operating with minimal legal responsibility despite their increasing influence in shaping public discourse.
Meanwhile, Boni Khalwale criticized the high cost of internet data in Kenya, asserting that expensive connectivity restricts safe and equal access to digital services for young people.
Senator Munyihaji shared his personal experience with misinformation, recounting how he had been targeted by false information spreading on social media earlier in the week.
In his closing remarks, Kabogo urged senators to support the proposed Kenya Online Safety Bill, which aims to tighten regulation of digital platforms by introducing mandatory transparency reporting and age-verification systems for online services.
The Cabinet Secretary acknowledged, however, that recent court injunctions have limited the Ministry’s capacity to compel the removal of harmful online content and shut down dangerous websites.
The Senate session underscored the mounting pressure on the government to enhance oversight of the digital space amid growing concerns over cybercrime, online exploitation, misinformation, and the vulnerability of children navigating an increasingly complex internet environment.