November 11, 2024: As a body that advocates for freedom of expression, we strongly condemn the recent blockage of Telegram in Kenya. This action not only restricts the right to access information but also undermines freedom of expression and digital rights in our country. We are alarmed by this incident, which infringes on Kenyans’ constitutional rights to communication and freedom of expression, as enshrined in Article 33 of the Constitution.
Telegram is an essential platform for Kenyans, it enables individuals, businesses, and communities to connect, and share knowledge. Restricting access to such a platform without transparency or accountability compromises trust in the government and significantly disrupts the digital ecosystem that drives our social and economic progress.
Unrestricted access to information and communication platforms is fundamental to democracy, innovation, and socio-economic growth. The government must restore access to Telegram and ensure that no other digital platforms are restricted without lawful justification and stakeholder engagement. The blockage comes less than six months after the recent internet disruption during protests against the Finance Bill 2024. This repeated actions against online platforms reflect a concerning trend that infringes on Kenyans’ digital freedoms and diminishes public trust in the government’s digital governance approach.
While we acknowledge the need to protect integrity especially during the ongoing KCSE exams, the government should employ rights-based alternatives rather than implementing disruptive shutdowns. There are legal and technological measures that can be adopted to prevent cheating without restricting access to digital platforms, such as enforcing stricter examination regulations, prosecuting individuals involved in malpractice, and leveraging secure exam management practices.
Blocking Telegram or any other social media platform fails to honor international human rights laws, which mandates that restrictions on rights must be legal, necessary, and proportionate. We insist that the stakeholders should develop solutions in consultation with civil society, the private sector, and other partners to address challenges in a way that respects human rights.
We call upon the relevant authorities to adopt a rights-based approach to digital policy, in line with Kenya’s commitment to a free and open internet, and to facilitate an environment that respects and protects the freedoms of all Kenyans online.