Time for Kenyan youths to stop abusing leaders

the Star, Kenya, wrote an aricle " Time for Kenyan youths to stop abusing leaders' and a criticsj from me. There should be limits to freedom of speech, and how far can you go? Freedom of speech is a fundamental right enshrined in the 2010 Kenyan Constitution that allows individuals to share their thoughts, opinions and information. This right is crucial for a vibrant democracy. Yet recent trends among Kenyan youth, particularly on social media, reveal worrying cases of its abuse. Posts mocking public officials, spreading hate speech or sharing offensive content are becoming alarmingly frequent. It cannot be seen as quite so one-sided. This "making fun" of public officials is an expression of how the youth feel, how they view these public officials. Some posts are borderline, not funny at all, some can be dispensed with, but nevertheless it is an expression of the mood of the population, and that must not be suppressed. It is a democracy, as it is called, and an official must be able to take criticism.    A particularly worrying trend is the depiction of leaders as silhouettes or cartoon characters in a dehumanizing and disrespectful manner. This is true, because many officials are just puppets. Here is just one example. Last year, President Ruto brought I think five MPs from the opposition into his government. It is inevitable that there will be big question marks. These five MPs have dehumanized themselves, you don't need youth for that, you need shillings.    Such actions exceed the limits of constructive criticism and often violate legal provisions.   While freedom of expression is protected, it must be exercised with responsibility and respect.  To ensure that this right does not lead to harmful behavior with serious consequences in the real world, respect for leaders and others is essential. In recent months there have been kidnappings, some murders. Were these kidnappings carried out with respect? Some people lost their lives. Not to mention the many deaths at the demonstrations last year. Did these people die with respect? So far, no one has asked about respect for the demonstrators, but that is far from the case. Who kidnapped the boys? This question will never be answered. Who gave the order? There will be no answer here either. The Kenyan constitution guarantees everyone the right to freedom of expression in Article 33(1), including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information or ideas. This provision is crucial to fostering an open, democratic society where individuals can participate in discussions that shape the future of the nation.  However, this freedom is not absolute. Article 33(2) specifically prohibits speech that includes hate speech, discrimination, incitement to violence or war propaganda. Social media provides a platform for young people to participate in national discourse, but it also facilitates the unchecked spread of hate speech, malicious content and blatant disrespect towards public figures. For example, posts that depict politicians in an offensive manner, such as the President in a coffin, can have far-reaching consequences. Such content not only undermines public order but also violates the law, including the provisions of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act. While some may view these posts as an expression of frustration, they can result in legal consequences, including charges of hate speech, defamation or endangering national security. Freedom of expression is not just about the right to speak – it also includes the duty to exercise that right responsibly. Respect is fundamental in any dialogue, especially when addressing people in positions of power or authority. Kenyan society is deeply rooted in traditional values ​​and has always placed great emphasis on respect for leaders, elders and public figures. Disrespectful comments, even if they are meant to be satirical or critical, can escalate tensions and deepen divisions. The younger generation must understand that when exercising freedom of expression, one must be aware of its impact on others. Respect is a cornerstone of social harmony. Ignoring it only leads to conflict. Parents, educators and community leaders need to reflect on where societal values ​​have eroded and take steps to instill respect and dignity in communication.   Traditional values ​​of many Kenyan communities include humility, patience and dignity in public discourse.   These values ​​can serve as a moral compass for young people to navigate the complexities of modern communication.   By incorporating these principles into online and offline interactions, young people can express themselves responsibly while promoting peace and understanding. Essentially, it can be said that if politics behaved in such a way that "everything was running smoothly", then there would be no disrespectful comments. In other words, if politics abides by the rules, then there will be no such actions. But they do exist! The question that still needs to be answered is who is to blame? The young? The old? The disabled? The sick? No, none of these are guilty, the guilty are those who made this criticism, whether appropriate, excessive, ridiculous or gruesome, possible in the first place. And that is precisely what is not questioned in this article.