'My barber is God', CS Kabogo responds to online trolls

ICT CS William Kabogo speaking during the 8th Kenya Editors' Guild (KEG) Annual Convention 2025 in Kilifi, November 28, 2025. /KEG/X

Information, Communications and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo has praised Kenya’s strong media freedom, saying it has created a safe environment for journalists to operate without fear or intimidation.

Speaking on Friday during the 8th Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) Annual Convention in Kilifi, Kabogo said media freedom in Kenya has expanded so significantly that things journalists could never have gotten away with in the past have now become commonplace.

He cited his own experiences with constant banter and online trolling, particularly jokes about his hairline and his manner of dressing.

“Many things happen against me by journalists, but I take them very positively. One is my haircut — they have a big issue with my haircut,” he said, drawing soft murmurs from the conference room.

“But I tell them it’s okay, wivu ni sawa (jealousy is fine) because my barber is God. But your barber — you have to go to Githurai every other week to get a haircut,” he added, prompting more laughter.

Kabogo also recalled another online troll that poked fun at his understanding of technology in the ministry he oversees.

He said an X user named Jimmy created a meme quoting him while responding to the government’s policy decision to migrate to cloud storage.

According to the CS, the user claimed he had said: “Mko na budget ya ndege ama mnatumia matatu?” (Do you have a budget for a flight, or are you using a matatu?)

Kabogo went on to highlight yet another incident where a journalist visited him in his office and, as they sat down for their meeting, his trousers rode up, revealing a multicoloured pair of “happy socks”.

The journalist allegedly took a photo and posted it online with the caption: “This is how Kabogo dresses.”

“The next time I met the young man who did that, I signed off a competition for those things (memes) — and he won Sh100,000 from me because of a very good job he did,” Kabogo said.

“It made me popular, so either way, journalism to me is a hobby. I like it.”

Kabogo contrasted the current media environment with the Kanu era, saying no one would have dared to make fun of government officials without dire consequences.

“During the Moi time, there were certain things you could not say. So media freedom is coming true, and working together in this space is important.”

KEG President Zubeida Kananu said technology is reshaping how stories are told, how audiences consume news and how truth competes with distortion.

She pointed out that while technology has opened the media space to enhanced opportunities, it's usage calls for immense personal responsibility.

"I urge all journalists and editors to embrace technology boldly but use it ethically: to enhance fact-checking, elevate truth and innovate without compromising credibility," she said.KEG President Zubeida Kananu addressing the editors' convention, November 28, 2025. /KEG/X

Kananu said Kenya’s media remains among Africa’s most vibrant, with journalists telling stories that matter through digital innovation such as mobile journalism, data-driven storytelling and advanced fact-checking tools.

She noted, however, that this progress is increasingly overshadowed by shrinking budgets, delayed salaries, job insecurity, burnout, declining advertising revenue and growing threats and intimidation.

Kananu urged the government to recommit to addressing issues raised during last year’s convention in Nakuru, stressing that journalism is not merely a profession but a public service essential to the nation.

"While progress has been made, challenges including journalist safety, media sustainability, regulatory inconsistencies, modernization and strengthening of KBC, and online harassment remain unresolved.

"This moment demands bold leadership that recognises the irreplaceable role of journalism in a democracy. The greatest threat to media freedom today is economic suffocation."

Kabogo said the government remains committed to ensuring the media operates in an environment that allows practitioners to fulfil their duties effectively and with confidence.

On delayed payments, the CS said the government is reviewing the public advertising model to ensure fairness, efficiency and timely settlement of obligations.

"Historical pending bills owed to media houses are undergoing verification at the National Treasury, and we aim to resolve them as part of restoring the sector’s financial stability," he said.

Kabogo added that the ministry is aware of the sustainability pressures facing the media in a tech-driven landscape, where traditional revenue streams have sharply declined and digital advertising is dominated by global platforms.

He said the government is actively engaged in dialogue with global technology platforms, development partners and local stakeholders on the evolving value of Kenyan content in the digital space.

The convention, themed “Truth, Trust and Technology: The Place of Journalism in the Digital Era,” closed on Saturday with a gala dinner attended by IEBC chairman Erastus Ethekon and Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro.

Earlier, Media Council of Kenya Director of Media Training and Development Victor Bwire said the industry must strengthen professionalism to ensure journalism remains a trusted source of public information.

He also called for greater diversity, saying: “We cannot keep treating a few big names as the only credible voices while ignoring emerging journalists.”

On Friday, editors paused to honour journalists and broadcasters who died this year.

“Their courage, passion and commitment will never be forgotten,” they said.