The NGO Council of Kenya has welcomed assurances by Interior Cabinet secretary Fred Mataingi and his ICT associate Joe Mucheru that the Government will not shut down Facebook and other social media platforms during the Election period.
The assurance came amid growing state standoff with Facebook which the National Cohesion and Integration (NCIC) had accused of allowing hate and incitement content that could pose a risk to national security and peace.
In a press statement, council chairman Stephen Kipchumba Cheboi urged bloggers on social media platform to stop exchanging hate message, threats and insults if they want the government as a regulator not to step in and close down sites.
"The government is the ultimate authority charged with ensuring peace and tranquility and has the duty flag down red spots and act decisively for the wider good of the public."
He urged aspirants to exercise restrain, tolerance and soberness as the elections campaigns enter the final week saying the election will be only one day and life has to continue.
He condemned incidents of intolerance and urged parties and candidates to tame their supporters to desist from violent actions.
The council, he said, will continue campaigning for peace during campaigns and after the elections under its "National initiative Mwananchi Peace initiative.
"We will continue the campaign for Peace by mobilizing the Women, Youth, the elderly, political leaders and all Kenyans to prioritize peace in the country during this important period in the country," he said.
