Four Legislators have requested the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) to come up with policies to regulate content on social media.
The leaders, Bomet Senator Wilfred Lessan, Chepalungu MP Paul Savimbi Bii, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso and Women Representative Cecilia Ng'etich urged the Authority to act fast, and give the policies to Parliament for further consideration.
The leaders spoke in reference to the death of MCA, Cecilia Towett, who was killed in a grisly car accident in Narok last week and her death announced online less than 30 minutes later, catching family members unawares.
“I am perturbed by the amount of unverified information being posted on social media which end up causing unnecessary distress among those affected,” said one of the leaders.
Speaking at Ms Towett's home on Thursday, the Legislators however insisted that they were not trying to gag social media, but they were pushing for a better caring society.
This move comes amid contention sparked by MPs after they passed a bill bearing clauses that will restrain the media coverage on the National Assembly.
On Wednesday, the legislators introduced a clause in the Powers and Privileges Bill that would impose heavy penalties on journalists who publish libelous material touching on the National Assembly.
The clause, Section 34, provides that: “A person who publishes any false or scandalous libel on Parliament, its committees or its proceedings or speaks words defamatory of Parliament its committee or its proceedings is liable to a fine or jail term”.
The clause imposes a Sh500,000 fine or a two-year jail term for defaming MPs in an offence termed as “defamation of parliament.”
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