Sheikh Mohamed Noor from Marsabit has backed calls to regulate social media in the country. Photo: Radio Jangwani.
Sheikh Mohamed Noor from Marsabit Jamia Mosque has backed calls for government to regulate social media, as recently use of the platform among youth has shown degradation of moral standards in the country.
While addressing the media on Tuesday, June 3, Noor mentioned that the recent attack towards leaders to the extent of putting them in coffins, and other embarrassing acts that belittle the status of the leaders, is a show of lack of respect. He further called on taking action against such users belittling the leaders in the country.
“It was a good idea for our government to include proper use of social media in our constitution, but currently social media is being misused by spreading hate, disrespecting leaders by putting them in coffins among others. The government should go after such users and have them face the law, as the constitution does allow that. We call upon our youths to use social media in ways that can help them, and improve lives,” he urged.
Noor has called on regulation measures by the government, to avoid further moral erosion in the society, and further spreading of false and misleading information. He challenged the youth to us the platforms in ways that will empower and benefit them.
“Social media in this country should be regulated fully, because if we do not, we might end up in conflict especially among the youths. There is too much hate being spread through social media. If we regulate we could use the media for the benefit of the society,” Noor said.
Additionally, Noor called on parents to be keen and monitor what their children are doing on social media, to ensure that they do not engage in activities that contravene the laws of the country, and avoid being misled by what is on social media.
His remarks coming after activist Rose Njeri’s mother confirmed that she was not aware that her daughter had come up with a website that would help Kenyans to submit the their views on the 2025 Finance Bill, until her arrest.
“The burden also lies with parents to ensure they follow closely what their children watch both on television and on their phones. With technology they know more than us, but let us be vigilant and closely monitor what our children are doing on social media,” he said.
Earlier, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, during Labour Day celebrations called on the president to regulate social media, as it has given too much freedom to Kenyans.
Following the events of June 2024, Noor asked the government to ensure that they do enough public participation and awareness among the youths on the components of the 2025 Finance Bill, to avoid recurrence of the 2024 Gen Z led protests.
“The Finance Bill should focus on the interest of Wananchi, the government should also ensure that the components are for the good of Kenyans. Educate people and ensure that you as well as youths to reject the Bill from an informed view and not because they align with a political outfit, let us be patient for the reading to discuss further,” Noor urged.
