Kenya Considers Mandatory National ID Verification for Social Media Access

Nairobi, Kenya – May 23 — A new bill tabled in Kenya’s Parliament could fundamentally alter how citizens access the internet, with a proposal to require all social media users to verify their identity using government-issued national identification.

Introduced by Member of Parliament Marianne Kitany, the proposed amendment to the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Act seeks to make it mandatory for telecom providers and internet service companies to enforce strict age and identity verification measures before granting access to major online platforms.

According to Kitany, the bill’s primary aim is to protect minors from exposure to inappropriate and harmful online content. “We can no longer rely on self-declared age gates,” she stated, arguing that current mechanisms on apps and websites are easily circumvented by underage users entering false birth dates.

If passed, the legislation would obligate service providers to cross-check users’ national ID details against government databases—effectively creating a regulated digital identity framework for online access.

However, the proposal has sparked intense public debate. Digital rights advocates and civil society groups have voiced serious concerns over the bill’s implications for privacy, data protection, and freedom of expression. Critics warn that mandatory ID verification could open the door to state surveillance, limit anonymous online participation, and be used as a tool for censorship.

“This bill could set a dangerous precedent,” said a spokesperson for a Nairobi-based digital rights NGO. “While the intention to protect children is valid, the approach raises deep concerns about personal privacy and data misuse.”

If enacted, Kenya would join a small cohort of countries globally—including China and a few Gulf states—that enforce strict ID-based authentication for internet access.

The bill is currently under review and is expected to undergo public scrutiny before any potential vote in Parliament.