A fresh budget proposal has stirred debate after revelations that Ksh.150 million has been allocated to monitor social media activity in Kenya. Meanwhile, Members of Parliament are lobbying for increased allocations to support their own operations.
Highlights:
- Ksh.150 million allocated for social media surveillance
- MPs push for more funding in upcoming budget
- Concerns raised over digital privacy and expenditure priorities
- Surveillance efforts aimed at curbing online threats and misinformation
Main Story:
In the upcoming national budget, the government has earmarked Ksh.150 million to fund surveillance of online platforms, targeting the tracking of social media users across the country. The funds are expected to bolster digital monitoring in a bid to curb cyber threats, hate speech, and misinformation.
While that allocation raised eyebrows, Members of Parliament have also been pressing for increased funding. Legislators argue that their workloads and public expectations have grown, justifying a need for a more generous budget to run constituency affairs and legislative duties effectively.
Digital rights advocates have raised alarm over the surveillance allocation, warning that it could be used to stifle free expression or spy on citizens. Critics are calling for greater transparency and oversight on how the funds will be used, especially given Kenya’s history with politically charged online monitoring.
The government, however, maintains that the move is necessary to protect national security and public order. Officials say the initiative will focus on identifying harmful content and misinformation campaigns that may destabilize the country, particularly around election seasons.
With more eyes set on social media, the question now is—who’s really watching, and at what cost?
