A new report on the state of safety and security of bloggers in Kenya has revealed an increase in cases of deaths, abductions, and arrests targeting bloggers and activists in 2024. The report, titled Devolved Impunity: The Safety and Security of Bloggers in Kenya (2019 – 2024), is a collaborative effort by us, (the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), Paradigm Initiative, and Article 19 Eastern Africa. It documents violations against bloggers over the past five years, highlighting the precarious nature of their work.
According to the report, bloggers in Kenya face mounting legal, political, and technological threats. While digital platforms have expanded spaces for free expression, they have also become a battleground for harassment, surveillance, arbitrary arrests, and cyber threats. The enforcement of laws such as the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act has raised concerns about the criminalization of online speech, limiting press freedom and discouraging critical discourse.
Speaking during the report launch, ‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, warned about the increasing use of surveillance tools by governments to suppress journalists and bloggers.
“Mass surveillance should be illegal without legal frameworks to guide and ensure accountability. However, many governments are now using existing laws around terrorism and cybercrime to legitimize activities that should not be legal. In some countries, authorities have even invested in spyware to monitor journalists and impede their work,” Sesan stated.
James Wamathai, Partnerships and Advocacy Manager at BAKE, underscored the urgent need for protection, emphasizing that digital rights are human rights.
“We are asking to be protected. The same human rights that exist offline should be safeguarded online. If one class of society is not safe, then no one is safe. The safety and security of bloggers should be a concern for everyone,” he said.
Demas Kiprono, Deputy Director of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Kenya Chapter, noted that democratic discourse in Kenya has shifted online, exposing individuals to new risks.
“This is a trend we have been observing. As Kenyans increasingly engage government officials and institutions online, there is a pressing need to review laws, educate citizens on their rights, and push for reforms through litigation and advocacy. No one should be victimized for speaking out about governance failures,” Kiprono emphasized.
Angela Minayo, Programmes Officer at Article 19 Eastern Africa, pointed out that the erosion of human rights protections has extended beyond the national government to county administrations.
“The relevance of our work has never been greater. We are witnessing a growing intolerance to criticism, which is now permeating county governments. The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act has been weaponized, with problematic sections granting excessive investigative powers to government agencies. The proposed amendment bill seeks to empower the National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee (NC4) to block websites deemed to be conducting illegal activities. We must closely monitor these developments,” Minayo added.
The report highlights that despite Kenya’s constitutional guarantees of free expression and key court rulings that have invalidated overly broad laws, bloggers continue to face arbitrary enforcement of restrictive legislation. The use of legal intimidation, digital surveillance, and even enforced disappearances reflects a worrying trend of suppression aimed at silencing dissent.
To address these challenges, the report recommends stronger collaboration between civil society, media organizations, and policymakers to foster a safer online environment by ensuring the protection of digital rights. It argues that it is critical to uphold Kenya’s commitment to freedom of expression in an increasingly digital world.
Full report here