NAIROBI, Kenya May 1 – COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has sparked a fresh online storm after urging President William Ruto to regulate social media in Kenya, citing China as an example.
Speaking during Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens—attended by the President and other top leaders—Atwoli said regulating social media would help silence unpatriotic voices and promote national stability.
“We cannot allow social media to be used to incite and divide. We must regulate it, just like China has done,” Atwoli declared from the podium, drawing a mix of applause and jeers from the audience.
His remarks come at a politically sensitive time, as the government faces mounting criticism over its response to the June 25 Gen Z protests against the Finance Bill. Several youth activists have reportedly been arrested or forcibly disappeared, raising fears of a broader crackdown on dissent.
Atwoli’s comments triggered an immediate backlash online, with critics accusing him of supporting authoritarian measures to suppress free expression. Activist Boniface Mwangi posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Social media is the last platform for young people to demand accountability. Regulating it means gagging the voice of the people.”
Civil society leaders and opposition figures echoed the outrage. “Atwoli has betrayed the very workers he claims to represent,” said Haki Coalition chairperson Grace Muthoni. “Instead of defending rights, he is now advocating for censorship.”
The hashtag #HandsOffSocialMedia trended shortly after his speech, with thousands condemning what they perceived as a coordinated effort by the state and its allies to stifle digital activism.
Despite the public uproar, Atwoli has stood by his comments and has not issued a retraction.
Meanwhile, families of the missing youth activists continue to demand answers, amplifying calls for accountability and transparency from the government.
As debate over social media regulation intensifies, attention has now shifted to the Ruto administration, which is yet to clarify its official position on Atwoli’s proposal.
