Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi has vowed to spearhead legislative amendments aimed at curbing the misuse of social media in Kenya. Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Elachi expressed concern over the growing trend of cyber-bullying, online sexual exploitation, and the spread of explicit content.
“Social media is good and was meant to build self, but was not meant for Kenyans to send us their nakedness because that’s what they are doing to us. We will amend the law,” she declared.
Elachi, a vocal advocate for social decency and youth empowerment, highlighted that platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) have increasingly become breeding grounds for pornography, child prostitution, gambling promotion, and harassment. She lamented that some youth have taken advantage of their online freedoms to insult politicians and peers, which she termed a misuse of the right to free expression.
“As women parliamentarians, one day we will open our phones and show you the things we see,” she said, citing the flood of inappropriate messages received by leaders, particularly women.
Her remarks come amid growing national concern about the psychological and social effects of unregulated digital content, especially on young people. The issue took center stage during the recent National Prayer Breakfast held at Safari Park Hotel on May 28. Themed ‘Rise and Rebuild’, the event brought together lawmakers from across the political divide to pray for peace, unity, and a moral revival in Kenya.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula set the tone for the day, urging leaders and citizens alike to awaken to the responsibility of nation-building. Elachi’s prayer during the event struck a somber tone as she asked for divine intervention against the “spirit of social media” harming Kenya’s youth.
“Our youth are hopeless, and we pray that the spirit of social media running our country is dealt with,” she said. “We want to confess, as legislators, that we must indeed address that sector.”
Elachi affirmed that Parliament will take bold steps to ensure social media is used responsibly, especially by the younger generation.
