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Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Kenya) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has raised concerns over the growing misuse of social media in the country, hinting at possible engagement with the government to introduce regulations if the trend persists.
Speaking on Saturday during a COTU shop stewards meeting in Nairobi, Atwoli decried what he termed as the irresponsible use of digital platforms to spread hate and propaganda.
He urged Kenyans to exercise responsibility and decorum when using social media and emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, warning that unchecked misuse could destabilize the nation. Atwoli drew comparisons with neighbouring countries grappling with political unrest, cautioning against a similar fate for Kenya.
"Social media (users), it is time you stopped propaganda. You must love your country. If you are not patriotic, even investors will exit. Otherwise, we will plunge into chaos," he said.
"Now, we will be forced to ask the government to regulate social media. Things that happen on TikTok are shocking. Social media must be regulated," Atwoli warned.
The COTU boss said that, while the government support AI for its contribution to the growth of the economy and creation of employment, people must use it prudently and not fuel hatred and violence.
"It must be regulated. The time is now," he said.
He urged social media enthusiasts to the digital platforms to engage their leaders constructively.
"Engage leaders on issues, not on hate. Talk about shortages, things that I cannot be able to deliver; inequities and capacity. Do I have integrity? Don't hate me as a person. Don't wish others bad. Pray for others. Celebrate others who have done well," he said.
"Even if today I was the president, some people in my family will not embrace my presidency," he added, implying that criticism is not strange, but should be done objectively and not targeting the personalities.
This comes amid public uproar over plans by the State to regulate social media to control the contents and products Kenyans post online.
In January, Information Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo announced plans to introduce new laws and regulations to govern the online platforms.
"On the issue of hate speech and harmful content, this is a matter of every country having its own regulations. It is true when you look at TikTok, Facebook, and X, you will find all sorts of pornography even available to children. Kabogo said.
At the same time, Atwoli fiercely defended the newly introduced social healthcare scheme, Social Heath Authority (SHA), insisting that the controversial scheme "is working" even as he acknowledged the existing flaws in the system.
"SHA, I want to assure you, is working. It had teething problem, like any organisation or company that is starting," he said, citing that some of his staff "have benefitted from SHA. It is really working."
He noted that, unlike the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) which was marred with reports of financial fraud, SHA would correct the challenges.
"Taxpayers money was plundered in NHIF. Most of these private hospitals were established using money stolen from NHIF," he said, allegations that The Sunday Standard could not independently verify.
He further accused politicians and some advocates of sabotaging the SHA implementation process.
"Who is to support SHA to work? If something is not working make it work. Let's correct the ills at SHA instead of lamenting. A lamenter is a failure. Let's correct things as we move," he stated.
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