A social media forum bringing together residents and friends of Garissa and Madogo has adopted a comprehensive code of conduct aimed at promoting respectful dialogue, business networking and civic engagement while curbing hate speech, discrimination and harmful online content.
The Friends of Garissa & Madogo forum, led by Damaris Wanjiku, popularly known as Dammah Shiko, an employee of the Garissa Water and Sewerage Company (GAWASCO), says its mission is to unite members and create opportunities for economic empowerment through business, professional networking and workplace collaboration.
Under the guidelines, members are encouraged to ask questions, share information, engage in constructive discussions and hold political leaders accountable, with conversations expected to remain focused on issues affecting Garissa and Madogo.
The code affirms every member’s right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas.
However, it expressly prohibits hate speech, ethnic incitement, vilification and any form of advocacy likely to incite violence or cause harm.
It also bans discrimination on the basis of race, sex, pregnancy, marital status, health status, ethnicity, social origin, colour, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, dress, language or birth.
To preserve the forum’s purpose, administrators have prohibited the sharing of pornographic material, cryptocurrency and Bitcoin promotions, betting-related content, as well as unrelated videos, photographs and TikTok posts.
“Members are also expected to communicate in a language understood by all participants and refrain from using their mother tongues during discussions.”
Dammah Shiko said the measures are intended to maintain a respectful, inclusive and development-focused platform that promotes unity, economic empowerment and meaningful civic participation among members.
