If you are one of those guys or gals that take to revenge nude pictures just because the relationship is over, be aware, jail time cometh and it bears a wrath of 30 years in Kamiti or worse.
This is all thanks to the new Kenyan bill that proposes a fine of Sh300,000 or a jail term of 30 years –or both- for any person convicted of forwarding naked pictures of other people.
Article 28 of the Cyber Security and Protection Bill 2016 states;
A person who transfers, publishes, or disseminates, including making a digital depiction available for distribution or downloading through any other means of transferring data to a computer, the intimate image of another person commits an offence and is liable, on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding thirty years or fine not exceeding three hundred thousand shillings or both.
The Bill that is being sponsored by the chairperson of Committee on Information and Technology, Senator Mutahi Kagwe aims to instill harsh measures on citizens distributing pictures, videos or other media of sexual activity or nudity.
While computers have increased human connectivity and have a direct impact on development, they also pose a risk to the users. At a larger scale they may be used to disrupt the delivery of essential services and in effect cause irreparable harm to the economy and lives of people.
If enacted, Kenya will follow in the footsteps of Europe and America where forwarding of other people’s naked pictures or videos – otherwise referred to as revenge porn – has been criminalised.