Kenyan musician launches anti-cyberbullying campaign

The singer told Music In Africa that the campaign was designed to appeal to social media users to think before sharing information that could intimidate or threaten.

“I am happy that this conversation has begun because cyberbullying is a very serious issue,” he said. “Sometimes it's easier to deal with physical abuse than emotional abuse because it affects every aspect of your life. You cannot work or think clearly and many people become depressed, which sometimes leads to suicide."

Gait said he had planned a national tour that would see him bring together civil society organisations, academia, churches and political leaders to build on the ongoing conversation around cyberbullying.

“We are working on a series of activities that will see us traverse the country. We'll host forums, workshops, conduct online activations, hold concerts and roadshows and also share material that will address the issue of cyberbullying,” Gait said.

He said the Computer and Cybercrimes Bill, which was signed two weeks ago by President Uhuru Kenyatta, would curb online harassment. However, a section of the public, including the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), is not pleased with the new legislative development. According to a number of commentators, the new law contains several broadly defined offences and harsh sentences that could dramatically limit online freedom of expression in Kenya.

Geoffrey Maina, a Kenyan citizen, last week filed a suit challenging the constitutionality of the bill. This saw the High Court of Kenya halt its implementation of the law until the case is heard and determined at a later date. 

Maina argues that the authorities want to use the law to cage anyone who holds a contrary opinion. He says the hefty fines introduced as part of the law are meant to silence Kenyans, most of whom would not be able to afford to pay the millions of shillings demanded.

The new law states that anyone who intentionally publishes false, misleading or fictitious information will either be fined an amount not exceeding 5 million Kenyan shillings ($50 000) or be imprisoned for ten years, or both.