The Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo has revealed that Elon Musk will be required to establish offices for X in Kenya.
The development will come within the next three months as the government is tightening oversight on social media platforms operating in the country.
The ICT Cs made the remarks while appearing before the Senate on May 13, stating that the government had already issued X, formerly known as Twitter, with temporary approval licenses to continue operations in Kenya.
Additionally, the condition for continued operation in the country was that Musk open the platform’s offices in the country.
“And you remember, Mr Speaker, if I may add, a platform like the one for Elon Musk. We have given them temporary approval licences to operate in Kenya on the condition that in the next three months they shall have an office here,” stated Kabogo
According to the CS, the move is part of broader efforts by the government to regulate global digital platforms that have increasingly come under scrutiny over harmful content, misinformation, cyberbullying, and child safety concerns affecting Kenyan users online, particularly children.
He further explained that requiring X to establish a physical office in Kenya would make it easier for authorities to enforce local laws if disputes or harmful content emerge on the platform, especially involving children and vulnerable internet users.
“So we are taking action by having them here in Kenya and being subjected to our laws and measures that are there to protect our children,” Kabogo added.
