Information CS William Kabogo has outlined an eight-point reform agenda aimed at strengthening Kenya’s child online protection framework, as the government moves to close regulatory gaps, improve platform accountability, and enhance inter-agency coordination.
The plan draws on findings from a national survey on child online safety and reflects growing concerns over exposure of minors to harmful digital content, online exploitation, and platform-driven risks.
CS Kabogo said that the reforms are anchored on emerging threats within an increasingly digital-first society where children are active users of online platforms.
Legislative Reform and Transparency Requirements
A central pillar of the agenda is legislative reform, particularly the proposed Kenya Online Safety Bill, which seeks to introduce obligations on digital platforms to enhance transparency.
Currently, Kenya does not impose a statutory requirement for online platforms to publish periodic transparency reports on content takedowns, complaints, algorithmic risks, or classification systems.
Kabogo described closing this gap as a key objective of the proposed law, aimed at strengthening oversight and accountability in the digital ecosystem.
Information CS also acknowledged legal constraints affecting enforcement measures under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. A 2025 amendment to Section 6, which would have empowered the National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee to restrict access to websites and applications hosting harmful content involving minors, terrorism, extremism, and cultism, is currently suspended following High Court conservatory orders.
The Ministry has affirmed its respect for the judicial process and indicated it will comply with court directions.
Data Protection Gaps in Gaming and Betting Sector
Another gap identified is weak data handler registration, particularly within the gaming and betting sector, which poses risks to child data protection and exposure to harmful content.
CS Kabogo said that the ministry is working jointly with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and other regulators to address compliance deficiencies in this space.
The CS further noted that the reform agenda includes strengthening inter-agency inspection and compliance mechanisms and enhancing coordination across regulatory bodies to ensure consistent enforcement of child online safety standards.
CS William Kabogo emphasized that child online safety challenges transcend political boundaries and require sustained institutional commitment.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to support Parliament in advancing legislative, regulatory, and policy interventions that safeguard children’s rights to safety, privacy, dignity, and secure access to digital technologies.
The Ministry has also urged Parliament to adopt the reform agenda, engage substantively with the proposed legislative instruments, and support ongoing investigations and regulatory coordination efforts as Kenya moves toward a more structured digital safety framework for children.
