Kenya’s National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has warned that online abuse could undermine political participation ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying digital spaces must remain open to disagreement without becoming platforms for intimidation.
The warning comes as social media assumes an increasingly important role in Kenya’s political discourse, with millions of citizens using online platforms to debate public affairs, scrutinise leaders, campaign and organise.
DataReportal’s Digital 2026 report estimates that Kenya had 23.4 million internet users at the end of 2025, representing an internet penetration rate of 40.5%.
The country also had 18.4 million social media user identities, equivalent to 31.8% of the population. Social media user identities increased by 4.7 million, or 34.6%, between late 2024 and late 2025.
In an X update on Monday, NGEC said the growing importance of online platforms makes it necessary to distinguish vigorous political debate from abuse intended to silence individuals.
“Disagreement is not abuse. Democracy must make room for disagreement. Question leaders. Criticise policies. Challenge opinions. Demand accountability. Debate fiercely,” the commission said.
It warned that political disagreements cross the line when they involve threats, stalking, sexualised attacks, doxxing, impersonation or organised harassment.
“But when disagreement becomes threats, stalking, sexualised attacks, doxxing, impersonation or coordinated harassment designed to intimidate or silence, it is no longer democratic debate. It is abuse,” NGEC highlighted in a statement.
The warning is particularly significant for women seeking political office. Research by Pollicy that monitored 268 male and female candidates on Facebook and Twitter during Kenya’s 2022 General Election found that online violence was more prevalent among women candidates.
At least 55.7% of women's Facebook accounts monitored experienced some form of online violence, compared with 35.4% of men's accounts.
On Twitter, two in five women's accounts monitored experienced sexual harassment.
The findings point to the potential impact of digital abuse on the willingness of women to participate in electoral politics, particularly as online campaigning becomes increasingly central to elections.
Freedom House reported that nearly 56% of female candidates experienced online violence during the 2022 elections, compared with 35% of male candidates.
It also reported that 25.7% of female candidates on Facebook and 43.1% on X experienced sexualised online harassment.
NGEC said the problem could have wider implications for groups that already face barriers to political participation.
“As Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election, online spaces must remain open for political participation—not become tools for intimidation,” it said.
The commission called for women, youth, persons with disabilities, minorities and marginalised groups to be able to participate in politics without discrimination or fear.
“Women, youth, persons with disabilities, minorities and marginalised groups must be able to speak, organise, contest and lead without discrimination or fear,” NGEC said.
The concern comes against a wider backdrop of persistent gender-based violence in Kenya. The 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey found that 34% of women aged 15-49 had experienced physical violence since age 15, while 16% had experienced physical violence in the 12 months preceding the survey.
NGEC urged Kenyans to challenge political ideas and hold leaders accountable while avoiding attacks targeting individuals.
“Challenge ideas. Hold power accountable. Never weaponise violence against people,” it said.
The commission further stressed that constitutional protection of free expression does not justify harassment or intimidation.
“Freedom of expression is a constitutional right. It is not a licence to abuse,” NGEC said.
With the 2027 election approaching, the commission warned that the consequences of online intimidation could extend beyond individual victims by shaping who feels safe enough to participate in public life.