Aldai MP Maryanne Keitany is at the center of fresh controversy after sponsoring a new bill in parliament targeting internet and social media use. Her move has raised alarm among Kenyans, who see this as a dangerous step towards surveillance and control of digital spaces.
The bill reportedly seeks to give government agencies powers to regulate and possibly restrict social media platforms, raising concerns about freedom of expression and privacy rights. Many are interpreting this as a way to silence critics of the government and reduce civic space online.
In a post on X by Julisha Media, it was claimed that Keitany’s bill is a threat to online freedoms and opens a dangerous path for the government to monitor digital conversations. The post warned that this kind of legislation is often the first step toward widespread digital censorship.
It also raised fears of increased online arrests, intimidation of vocal youth, and government abuse of data collected through such surveillance. The timing of the bill is also suspicious, coming after recent online activism that led to major protests against the finance bill and exposed alleged government corruption.
This is not the first time Keitany has been linked to unpopular political moves. Her history in the Office of the Deputy President and her involvement in personal legal scandals has painted her as a politician who often thrives in controversial spaces.
Her new internet control bill only adds to that image. Critics argue that she is working hand-in-hand with state forces to clip the wings of online freedom in Kenya. They believe she has been assigned to push a bill that many politicians would fear sponsoring publicly, knowing how unpopular it is with the people.
What makes this even more worrying is the trend the government has taken lately. From directing social media companies to open offices in Kenya to threatening platform shutdowns, there has been an aggressive shift toward limiting how Kenyans use the internet.
Keitany’s bill fits neatly into that trend, giving more power to a state that is already accused of using force against dissenters. The fear is not just about losing freedom online but the return of state repression using digital laws.Many Kenyans remember how similar laws in the past were used to harass bloggers, arrest activists, and silence critics.
If Keitany’s bill passes, it could provide legal cover for even worse actions, such as abductions of government critics and shutdowns of online platforms during protests. Some say this is exactly what the bill is meant to achieve. It’s a tool to scare citizens into silence while giving the government more control over what people say and do online.
The public must treat this as a serious warning. Keitany’s role in sponsoring such a bill cannot be ignored. She has chosen to align herself with forces that seem to value control over democracy. Instead of promoting digital literacy and online safety, she is pushing legislation that may punish innocent Kenyans for simply expressing themselves.
This is not about protecting society from harmful content, it’s about protecting the political elite from being exposed.Her critics argue that the Aldai MP has shown little interest in issues affecting her constituents and is now focusing on national laws that will tighten government grip on public expression.
People are questioning who truly benefits from this bill. Is it the average Kenyan who wants fair internet access or the political class that fears the power of social media to expose lies and injustices? Keitany must answer why she is sponsoring a bill that helps the government spy on its own people.
This bill is not just about Maryanne Keitany. It’s about the future of free speech in Kenya. If it passes, it sets a dangerous example and gives the green light for more repressive laws. Keitany has thrown herself into the fire with this move, and the people will not forget.
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