Kenya's Health Minister Aden Duale has urged Islamic leaders to support the new Online Crime Act, stating it aims to protect societal morals and children from harmful online content. Speaking at Jamia Mosque in Nairobi, he defended a section of the law recently suspended by the court.
Kenya's Health Minister Aden Duale has called on Islamic leaders to support the new Online Crime Act, arguing it protects societal morals, particularly children from pornographic content spread online. Speaking on Thursday at Jamia Mosque in Nairobi during the launch of a book detailing the mosque's 100-year history, Duale stated it is the duty of religious and political leaders to “defend what is right” and safeguard youth morals.
“Section 27 of the Online Crime Act was passed when I was Majority Leader in Parliament. This section protects our children from sexual content and other things that corrupt morals. The court declared it constitutional two years ago, but just recently I was surprised to see another judge declare it unconstitutional,” Duale said.
He added that leaders should not fear defending moral foundations. “Religious and political leaders should not hesitate to support this law to save our children. Let us not pretend to be cowards when we know what we are defending is right,” he said.
On October 23, the High Court in Nairobi suspended the implementation of sections 27(1)(b)(c) and (2) of the act, which targeted the intentional distribution of communications that could harm another's reputation, privacy, or mental health. This followed a petition by gospel singer Reuben Kigame and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), who argued the sections infringe on online freedom of expression.
President William Ruto signed the amendments into full law one week before the court's decision. Duale said harmful online content has contributed to rising cases of mental disorders and suicides among youth. “Many youths are online. That's not a problem, but what do they do there? Imams and leaders of Islamic institutions must guide by advising our youth,” he said.
He emphasized that Jamia Mosque, located in central Nairobi, has a role in setting an exemplary leadership for Muslims in Kenya. Jamia Mosque Chairman Sheikh Osman Warfa, addressing the event, said the mosque has participated in various community upliftment projects and its foundation has endured for 100 years.