Tuesday, October 28,
2025 - Controversial Nyaribari Chache MP, Zaheer Jhanda, has sparked a widespread
debate after announcing plans to sponsor a bill in Parliament that will require
social media influencers in Kenya to hold academic degrees before discussing
professional topics online.
Speaking on Tuesday, October 28th, 2025, Jhanda
said the proposed legislation aims to curb misinformation and restore
credibility in digital communication.
He cited China as a model for effective digital regulation,
stating, “I am borrowing a leaf from one of the most advanced nations, China,
with a larger population than ours.”
Jhanda argued that the unchecked rise of online
personalities has led to a crisis of misinformation, with many influencers
lacking the qualifications to speak authoritatively on specialised subjects.
“They must have degrees to talk about professional topics.
We cannot have a country where everyone is an expert,” he said.
The MP further proposed that influencers operating in fields
such as law, finance, media, and health be vetted and recognised by relevant
professional bodies, including the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the Institute of
Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), and the Media Council of Kenya
(MCK).
“They must be recognised by professional bodies… or
otherwise, Kamiti Express,” he added, referencing the notorious prison.
His proposal comes amid recent amendments to Kenya’s Cybercrimes Act, which introduced tougher penalties for online harassment, changes that have already drawn concern from digital content creators and free speech advocates.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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