Kenyan MP, Malulu Injendi, has proposed a law that would require the administrators of Facebook and WhatsApp groups to register with the Communications Authority of Kenya(CA) before setting them up.
Should the law be passed, the administrators would be required to inform CA of the intention of the groups, its members and of the expected content.
Failure to do this, they will not be green lighted to establish the group.
Group admins who allow members to post offensive content in their groups will be liable to pay a USD 2,000 fine or serve a one year jail term.
The Bill, sponsored by Mr. Injedi, read, “The Commission may on application in a prescribed manner and upon payment of a prescribed fee, grant a license authorizing any person to establish a social media platform for purposes of communication.”
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The admins will also be required to maintain data on all group members, and submit it to the authorities when required.
They are also mandated to ensure all members of the WhatsApp group are of ‘age of majority’.
The Bill also proposes that offending social media users in Kenya will be fines USD 5,000 or serve a 2 year jail term.
Offensive content includes all content that is prejudicial against race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, political affiliation, language, ability or appearance will also be flagged.
Posting of biased or inaccurate information on social media will also attract a jail term.
