The Kenyan government has issued a directive to social media platform X, mandating that it establish a physical office in the country within three months.
William Kabogo, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, announced this requirement during a recent Senate address. He noted that X is currently operating under temporary authorisation while discussions about compliance are ongoing.
Kabogo emphasised that this move is part of a larger strategy to enhance child protection and content moderation on widely used platforms in Kenya. He stated, “We are committed to engaging with these broadcasters, including TikTok and Facebook. We will require them to maintain offices in Kenya so that they can be held accountable for any issues that arise.”
He further remarked, “The platform owned by Elon Musk has received temporary approval to operate in Kenya, provided they establish an office here within three months.”
This announcement marks a significant shift in Kenya’s approach to regulating international technology companies. The Communications Authority has been empowered to suspend the operations of digital platforms that violate local regulations or fail to comply with directives established under the country’s communications governance framework.
Kabogo noted, “The Communications Authority is now authorised to halt the operations of platforms in case of any breaches.”
Notably, X is not the only social media company facing increased scrutiny. Kabogo also mentioned TikTok and Meta as platforms that will be subject to similar oversight.
This regulatory action comes at a time when social media has surpassed traditional media as the main source of news for Kenyans. According to the Media Council of Kenya’s 2025 State of the Media report, 39% of consumers now rely on social media for news, compared to 31% who turn to television and 21% who listen to the radio.
