Africa-Press – Kenya. Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has called on the government to regulate social media in the country. Atwoli said that currently, social media content is not conducive to young people, placing the country in the wrong place.
The Cotu SG said the government must do something to regulate social media and that Kenyans and leaders must speak about it. While speaking during Cotu’s annual prayer day, Atwoli called on religious leaders to speak on social media content.
“There is this thing called social media, it is not in China, it is controlled.
The Church must speak about social media, the church must speak about TikTok. We can’t have such a society. The young people on social media have never worked in trade unions.
You will see how they talk and comment about the union, incitement on social media,” he said. This comes at a time when a section of leaders have been calling for social media regulation amid concerns of misuse.
Speaking at a trade unions’ stewards’ meeting on April 5, Atwoli appealed to young people on social media to stop spreading hate against leaders and instead focus on addressing the country’s challenges.
“Kenya is a satellite of economic activities in the region.
On social media, you will need to shorten the propaganda, you must love this country. If you don’t love this country, employers will leave. If not, you will start fighting each other,” Atwoli said.
The veteran trade unionist also called on those pushing for his retirement to evaluate his capabilities rather than being driven by hate. “If you hate your country, you hate yourself.
Engage leaders on issues, not with hate. Discuss what I can’t deliver. ‘Does this old man, Francis Atwoli, still have the capacity?’” Atwoli said, addressing the grassroots union leaders.
“Even if you don’t like me, don’t hate me. Discuss my shortcomings, the things I cannot deliver, the inequities,” he added.
Atwoli noted that many people attack their leaders not based on their manifesto or vision but out of malice and hatred. “Kenyans claim to be a God-fearing nation, yet people harbour hate.
God’s people do not harbour hate. ” The Cotu boss also challenged his officials to assess his capacity and integrity rather than focus on the personalised attacks circulating on social media.
However, in January, ICT and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo denied the existence of any plans to shut down social media. Kabogo said he has not foreseen a situation where that will be the case, noting that the discussion is also not on the table and that nobody should even think about it.
“I would not envisage or imagine where we would switch off social media. The discussion of switching off is not on the table at all, and I want you to remove it even from yourself. It is not there,” the CS said.
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