Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula
By Kimberly Kalusi
The Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula has defended the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, insisting that the law is not designed to muzzle free speech but to protect children, families, and society from the darker side of the internet.
Addressing congregants at St. Teresa’s Isanjiro Catholic Church in Malava Town, Kakamega County, on Sunday, the Speaker dismissed claims that the law is repressive, describing it instead as a “moral safeguard in an age of digital chaos.”
“This law is not about stifling dissent or curtailing legitimate expression,” he said. “It is about protecting what is most sacred in our society — the family unit — especially our children who are increasingly exposed to harmful and exploitative online content.”
He explained that the amendment aims to deter cyberbullying, child exploitation, online radicalisation, and the spread of cultic or extremist ideologies that have found fertile ground in Kenya’s digital spaces.
The Speaker pointed to recent national tragedies such as the Shakahola massacre, where cultic indoctrination led to hundreds of deaths, partly fueled by digital recruitment channels. “We cannot allow such horrors to be repeated under the guise of free speech,” he said, adding that the State must act “not to silence, but to safeguard.”
Balancing Digital Freedom and Moral Duty
The Speaker acknowledged that Kenya’s digital transformation has opened new frontiers in commerce, education, and governance, but said it has also come with grave moral and security risks.
“Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democracy, but it comes with responsibility,” he said. “When technology is abused to spread hate, pornography, or misinformation that endangers children, the State has an obligation to intervene.”
He noted that the Act draws inspiration from global best practices, citing the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia — countries that have enacted similar safeguards to protect citizens from online harm without eroding fundamental freedoms.
Under the amended Act, a specialised digital commission will be empowered to monitor, investigate, and take down websites promoting harmful content such as violent extremism, pornography, and online cultism. The law also enhances penalties for cyber harassment, fraud, and child exploitation.
Faith-Based Support and Parental Responsibility
The Speaker, himself a devout Catholic, thanked the Catholic Church, particularly the Embu Diocese, for supporting the law. He credited faith institutions with playing a critical role in shaping moral behaviour in a society “where technology often moves faster than ethics.”
“When I leave my phone with my children, I want to be sure that what they encounter uplifts them — not corrupts their minds,” he said. “We must unite as parents, educators, and citizens to restore moral order in our digital spaces.”
He called on religious leaders, parents, teachers, and tech companies to work together with the government in creating safer online environments, arguing that the responsibility cannot rest with the State alone.
“The fight for digital safety is not a government battle — it is a national duty,” he said. “We must be vigilant, informed, and morally anchored as a people.”
Critics Misunderstand the Law, Speaker Says
Responding to critics who have branded the Cybercrime Amendment as authoritarian, the Speaker insisted that such accusations stem from deliberate misrepresentation and political opportunism.
“Critics who label the law repressive are mistaken,” he said firmly. “It is progressive, forward-looking, and crafted through extensive consultation. It seeks to balance freedom with safety, expression with responsibility.”
He stressed that the legislation is not static, noting that Parliament remains open to reviewing it if legitimate concerns arise. However, he reaffirmed that the government’s resolve to protect children and families will not waver.
“Our collective duty to safeguard our children, preserve morality, and secure our digital future is non-negotiable,” he said. “This law was designed to shield families, restore moral order, and protect our youth from the dark side of the internet.”
A Moral Call for the Digital Age
In closing, the Speaker urged Kenyans to look beyond political noise and view the Cybercrime law as part of a broader moral and social agenda aimed at protecting the next generation.
“This is not a law of oppression, but of compassion,” he said. “It is for the protection of our children, the defense of our families, and the preservation of our nation’s moral compass.”
The remarks come amid an ongoing legal challenge to parts of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, which critics argue could stifle free expression online. However, the Speaker’s firm defense signals the government’s determination to keep the law intact, portraying it as a cornerstone of Kenya’s evolving digital ethics framework.
