Impact of Social Media on National Security in Africa: Case Study Kenya

Abstract

This study focuses on the social media sphere in Africa with specific focus on Kenya and the various implications on national security. As internet technology continues to proliferate through the continent, there is a need to assess the role of social media in national security and develop appropriate policies to regulate online content. Issues such as cyberterrorism are still new to the continent, and Kenya as the technology hub of East Africa needs to pioneer change in online forums to better develop security policy. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of social media on national security in Africa: case study of Kenya. The three specific objectives guided the study; to assess the nature of social media in Africa; to determine the impact of social media use on national security in Kenya; to examine the use of social media in Kenya and how it has impacted on national security. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The researcher used primary and secondary data as the main source of information. Primary data was obtained from questionnaires filled by social media influencers and users with different exposure to different platforms, different genders and careers. Secondary data was obtained through in-depth study of the findings of various material in this topic of social media. The target population comprised of 30 respondents in Kenya. The data collected and findings from the various sources made inferences through discussions based on the three objectives of this study. The data collected for the study established that social media has a significant impact on national security in Kenya. The government applies social media in various aspects of governance with varying results. The study further proved that social media is growing in popularity in the country and security agencies lag behind in the application of internet technologies to address crucial security issues in the country. The study concluded that cybercrime and cyberterrorism remain a significant threat to national security and security agencies are not doing enough to curb online crime. In Africa, social media usage is on the rise and governments are increasingly engaging citizens through online platforms. Similarly, terrorists and other non-state actors are using the platforms to spread propaganda and compromise national security. The readiness of security organs to deal with the online threat is critical in today's world. The study identifies the various weaknesses of cybersecurity in Kenya, especially in relation to social media, such as phishing attacks, trojans and malware. It recommends that Kenya needs to reevaluate the internet technology framework and provide lasting solutions to cybercrime. The government needs increased focus on education and research in the field of cybertechnology to ensure that security agencies are proactive against online threats. The study also recommends that the government needs stricter laws on social media platforms to protect against hate speech, misinformation and propagation of crime.