‘We Can’t Have Everyone as an Expert’: MP Proposes New Law to Regulate Social Media Influencers

Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda has announced plans to introduce a bill in Parliament aimed at regulating social media influencers in Kenya, a move he says will help curb misinformation and restore professionalism in the fast-growing digital space.

Speaking on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Jhanda said the proposed legislation will draw lessons from China, which he described as one of the most advanced countries in managing online communication and digital influence.

“I am borrowing a leaf from one of the most advanced nations, China, with a larger population than ours. I am equally going to sponsor a bill to regulate influencers,” Jhanda stated.

The lawmaker noted that the rise of online personalities with massive followings has fueled a surge of misinformation, creating confusion and undermining credibility in public discourse.

He explained that the bill seeks to ensure only qualified individuals with the right educational background can discuss specialized or professional topics online.

“They must have degrees to talk about professional topics. We cannot have a country where everyone is an expert,” he said.

Jhanda added that influencers operating in sensitive fields such as law, finance, media, and health should be vetted and recognized by professional regulatory bodies like 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 such as LSK, ICPAK, MCK, or otherwise, Kamiti Express,” he quipped.

The MP warned that if left unchecked, the spread of misinformation and disinformation could soon escalate into a national crisis.

“Misinformation and disinformation will become a crisis soon in Kenya,” he cautioned.

Jhanda’s proposal comes as debate intensifies over Kenya’s amended Cybercrimes Act, which has drawn public backlash and sparked a legal challenge over its supposed threat to free speech.

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