A heated Senate session on Wednesday exposed glaring weaknesses in Kenya’s ability to protect children from online exploitation, cyberbullying, and harmful digital content, as Information, Communication and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo admitted that most betting firms operating in the country are not fully registered.
Appearing before the Senate to respond to concerns raised by Hamida Ali Kibwana, the Cabinet Secretary painted a troubling picture of weak enforcement, inadequate oversight, and legal loopholes that continue to expose Kenyan minors to dangers in the digital space.
The session, presided over by the Speaker of the Senate, focused on the government’s preparedness to address rising cases of cyberbullying, online exploitation, harmful advertising, and predatory data harvesting practices targeting children and young people.
Senator Kibwana demanded answers on the legal, regulatory, and administrative measures currently in place to safeguard minors from harmful online activities, including gambling and exposure to inappropriate content. She questioned whether the Ministry had conducted any assessment on the extent to which Kenyan children have been exposed to manipulative advertising and unsafe digital environments over the last five years.
The Cabinet Secretary began his appearance by apologizing to the Senate for failing to appear on April 29, 2026, the date initially scheduled for tabling the ministry’s response. The Senator also sought clarification on whether Kenya was moving toward adopting internationally recognized safety-by-design standards similar to those implemented in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the European Union.
In response, Kabogo tabled a 40-page report before the Senate, describing it as an unusually candid assessment of the country’s digital safety challenges. While citing constitutional protections under Articles 28, 29, 31, and 53, the CS conceded that enforcement mechanisms remain weak and fragmented.
One of the most startling revelations from the report concerned the gambling and gaming sector. According to figures from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, 224 gaming and betting companies had been identified in Kenya, but only 15 are fully registered.
The revelation triggered sharp criticism from Karungo wa Thang’wa, who accused the government of allowing unregulated entities to continue collecting sensitive personal data from Kenyans, including minors.
Senator Karungo questioned why firms operating outside the legal framework were still permitted to harvest user information despite clear concerns raised in the Ministry’s own report.
“This response is unusually honest because it openly admits weak enforcement and weak accountability,” Senator Karungo observed, warning that children remain vulnerable to exploitation while authorities appear unable to rein in rogue operators.
Kabogo further revealed that the Ministry had not undertaken a dedicated national assessment on children’s online exposure over the past five years, although a study by the University of Nairobi is currently underway.
The CS told senators that the government is now seeking stricter oversight 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 laws and improve accountability.
Kabogo added that satellite internet provider Starlink had been granted temporary operating licenses on condition that it establishes local offices within three months.
Other senators used the session to raise broader concerns surrounding digital safety and governance.
Danson Mungatana questioned the Ministry’s preparedness ahead of the next General Election, warning that increasing online hate speech and misinformation could undermine national cohesion and electoral integrity.
Another senator, identified as Mutinda, raised concerns over the shortage of cybersecurity professionals in the country and asked what plans the government had to strengthen Kenya’s digital security workforce.
Senator Eddie also 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 growing influence in shaping public discourse.
Meanwhile, Boni Khalwale criticized the high cost of internet data in Kenya, arguing that expensive connectivity limits safe and equitable access to digital services for young people.
Senator Munyihaji shared his own experience with misinformation, telling the House he had personally been targeted by false information circulating on social media earlier in the week.
In his concluding remarks, Kabogo urged senators to support the proposed Kenya Online Safety Bill, which seeks to tighten regulation of digital platforms by introducing mandatory transparency reporting and age-verification systems for online services.
The Cabinet Secretary admitted, however, that recent court injunctions have limited the Ministry’s ability to compel the removal of harmful online content and shut down dangerous websites.
The Senate session highlighted the growing pressure on the government to strengthen oversight of the digital space amid rising concerns over cybercrime, online exploitation, misinformation, and the vulnerability of children navigating an increasingly complex internet environment.
