Civil society organizations and members of the global #KeepItOn coalition, which works to end internet shutdowns worldwide, have expressed deep concern over the recent blocking of Telegram in Kenya.
The members are seeking transparency and clarification from the CA and relevant telecom providers on the Telegram shutdown. They have requested, within seven days, information on the legal basis for blocking Telegram, the expected duration of the restriction, and the government agency responsible for the decision.
According to the joint statement, signed by more than 30 organizations, including Access Now, KICTANet, BAKE, and Article 19 Eastern Africa, they demand Kenyan government must uphold digital rights and freedom of expression.
Data from the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) indicates that Telegram access on Safaricom’s network has been disrupted since at least November 7, 2024. This blockade marks the second time in as many years that Telegram has been restricted in Kenya during national exams.
The reasoning behind these shutdowns appears to be aimed at curbing cheating. However, studies and global experiences show that internet shutdowns are a disproportionate and ineffective solution for preventing exam malpractice. Notably, earlier this year, Kenya also restricted internet access in response to protests against the Finance Bill, despite prior public commitments by the CA not to interfere with internet connectivity. These recurrent internet restrictions highlight a troubling pattern that risks infringing on Kenyans’ constitutional rights to information and expression.
The Kenyan government, a member of the Freedom Online Coalition and a signatory to the United Nations Global Digital Compact, is committed to upholding internet freedom. The Compact specifically emphasizes the harmful impact of internet shutdowns on human rights and calls on governments to refrain from measures that restrict internet access. Kenya’s recent internet restrictions stand in contrast to these commitments, raising questions about the country’s digital governance direction.
Telegram and other social media platforms play an integral role in the daily lives of Kenyans. They facilitate communication, support businesses, provide a platform for social change, and enable political discourse. Disrupting access to such essential platforms undermines freedoms of expression and access to information, which are protected under Articles 33 and 35 of Kenya’s Constitution as well as international human rights law.
In calling for these disclosures, the civil society advocates for accountability and adherence to human rights, underscoring that intentional restrictions on access to information are a violation of both national and international standards.