Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula and Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah have strongly defended the newly enacted Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, describing it as a moral safeguard that serves to protect not only the families, and the children but also the national security from online exploitation and extremism.
During a Sunday service at St. Teresa’s Isanjiro Catholic Church in Malava, Kakamega County, the two leaders spoke out against the increasing public criticism of the law, which they assert, endangers the freedom of expression.
They argued that the Act conforms to international standards and equips law enforcement agencies with the means to fight the spread of harmful digital content such as pornography, radical ideologies, and cult-related materials.
“This law is not about silencing people’s voices. It is about protecting our children and our moral fabric from destructive online influences,” asserted Wetang’ula.
In agreement with the views, Ichung’wah said the government needs to balance freedom with responsibility especially in the digital era. He argued that the country has been exposed to cyberbullying, radicalization, and moral decay due to the misuse of online platforms that has not been checked.
The duo also used the opportunity to urge the community of Luhya to join forces politically and thus the citizens of Malava were asked to endorse a government-approved candidate in the coming constituency by-election.
The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, is a subject of heated debate among digital rights advocates and opposition leaders who claim that certain parts of the bill may be used to silence dissent and restrict online freedoms.
Nevertheless, government officials are of the opinion that the legislation makes room for the protection of civil liberties while securing the public against online harm.
