Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has threatened that the government will crack down on Kenyans using what he says is “extreme” social media activities to ridicule and threaten leaders.

While referring to the recent trend where Kenyans use Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated images to depict leaders in coffins and graves, CS Murkomen said the activities had become a threat to security and people’s lives.

“There are those making those pictures with our leaders in coffins; I want to ask every parent, particularly church leaders, to condemn this bad behaviour… We’re going to relook at this behaviour and we will make sure we charge all of those who are using this social media to threaten others because if we don’t do so, we will not have an orderly country; we must bring order to our country because we want Kenyans to live in a country of order,” Murkomen said on Friday, January 10 in Uasin Gishu while in the company of President Ruto.

Murkomen further condemned parents and church leaders who he says are condoning the behaviour, claiming that it is fodder for chaos in the country.

“If your child goes to school and another child whom they share the same class sends a picture when your child has been put in a coffin, will you still defend that behaviour?” Murkomen posed. “Because when that message is sent to your child, the erred child is threatening your child that I will kill you and we are here clapping for behaviours that have been perpetuated for a long time.”

The sentiments were echoed by President Ruto, making a rallying call to parents.

“Those using the internet to abuse others, and do bad things, I’m telling the parents and all of us to let us help the youth so that they are not used to doing useless things, or abuse. Others are putting others in coffins.

“Today you are putting politicians, tomorrow it will be church leaders, then your parents and your brothers, then you will become criminals and start killing people in Kenya.”