He stated that the government had already granted X, formerly known as Twitter, temporary approval licences to continue its operations in Kenya.
However, he clarified that this approval came with specific conditions aimed at strengthening accountability and regulatory compliance.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, one of the key requirements is that the company must establish a physical presence in the country within a set timeline.
“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,” Kabogo told the Senate.
The directive forms part of broader government efforts to ensure that global technology companies operating in Kenya adhere to local regulations, including data protection laws, content moderation standards, and taxation frameworks.
Kabogo indicated that having a local office would improve communication between the platform operators and Kenyan authorities, particularly in addressing concerns related to harmful content, misinformation, and user safety.
He further suggested that physical presence would enhance compliance with regulatory requirements and allow for quicker response mechanisms in case of violations or disputes involving users within the country.
The Senate session highlighted growing scrutiny of international digital platforms as governments across the world move to tighten oversight of social media companies amid rising concerns over online safety, data privacy, and platform accountability.
Kenya has in recent years strengthened its digital governance framework, particularly through the implementation of data protection laws and ongoing efforts to regulate online platforms more effectively.
Kabogo’s statement signals a more assertive approach by the government in dealing with global technology firms, especially those with large user bases in the country but limited physical presence.