Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai has condemned the online targeting of public figures' children amidst tensions between their parents and the public, urging immediate action to protect these children.
In a social media post on Wednesday, Alai expressed his deep concern over the involvement of children of government officials in online disputes and called it unacceptable behaviour.
"My heart sinks as I write this to you all. As someone who’s walked the path of a tech blogger, fought for digital rights, and now serves as your elected Member of the County Assembly for Nairobi, I’m deeply troubled by what I’m seeing online," he wrote.
"Our children, yes, the kids of government officials, including those standing with the duly elected President William Ruto, are being dragged into a storm of hate."
He highlighted a specific case involving Ryan Kimutai Lagat, whose personal information was leaked online, leading to threats against him.
The MCA referenced constitutional protections for privacy, fairness, and child safety, emphasising that social media should not become a platform for cyber harassment.
"Take the case of Ryan Kimutai Lagat, son of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat. His name, phone number, and even his student ID have been splashed across social media, with people calling for harm. This isn’t right, and it has to stop," he said.
He pointed out that law enforcement appeared to be ignoring these threats, even against those connected to their own ranks.
"We’re a nation built on values that protect every one of us. Our Constitution promises privacy (Article 31), fairness (Article 27), and the safety of our children (Article 53). Laws like the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018 (Section 27) and the Data Protection Act, 2019 are there to shield us from cyber harassment and data misuse.
"But lately, social media has turned into a battleground where innocent kids are targeted with doxxing, threats, and shame. It feels like some senior police officers are turning a blind eye to these threats, even when directed at their own colleagues’ children. This chaos is tearing the fabric of our unity, and I can’t stay silent," he noted.
Alai has formally reached out to various authorities, including the police and data protection officials, urging them to enforce existing laws and protect children from becoming targets.
"I’ve already sent letters this morning urging action from the Inspector General of Police, the Data Protection Commissioner, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the Communications Authority of Kenya.
"I’m pleading with them to step up, enforce our laws with courage and fairness, and protect our young ones.
The police need to act now to stop this madness, ensuring that the children of officials, including those backing President Ruto, aren’t punished for their parents’ roles."
He shared examples of how other countries, such as the U.S., U.K., and Canada, have effectively addressed similar issues through strong law enforcement response and prosecution of offenders.
These examples show us that with strong investigative action, teamwork, and tough penalties, we can stop this.
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