On October 25, 2024, we hosted a townhall forum at the Baraza Media Lab to address the societal, economic, and technological repercussions of the internet shutdown experienced in Kenya on June 25, 2024 and the recent Telegram shutdown between October and November 2024.
Themed #InternetShutdownKe, the event brought together thought leaders, digital rights advocates, and content creators for an engaging and insightful evening to explore the implications of the shutdown while charting a path forward to protect Kenya’s digital space. Discussions centered on four key areas: human rights, digital authoritarianism, economic impacts, and future safeguards.
The townhall opened with a deep dive into how the internet shutdown affected fundamental human rights in Kenya. Speakers highlighted the internet’s critical role in enabling access to information, freedom of expression, and media freedom.
Participants discussed how the blackout disrupted civic engagement, curtailed media operations, and silenced voices during a pivotal moment in Kenya’s socio-political landscape. The need to prioritize internet freedom as a core human right resonated strongly throughout the session.
Demas Kiprono, Deputy Director ICJ Kenya emphasized, “An internet shutdown is not just a technological issue it is a direct assault on democracy and civic participation.
Kenya’s internet shutdown served as a stark example of digital authoritarianism, where governments use technology to suppress dissent and control narratives and such actions erode trust in digital infrastructure and create a chilling effect on activism and accountability.
The participants called for stronger frameworks to prevent misuse of digital tools by those in power.
Content creators, whose livelihoods rely heavily on internet access, bore the brunt of the shutdown. creators, Muchiri Mike and Muthoni Gitau shared firsthand experiences of financial loss, audience disconnect, and business disruption. For content creators, the internet is not just a luxury it’s a livelihood. The shutdown put our businesses on pause, with no compensation or accountability from those responsible,” noted Muthoni Gitau.
Further, discussions emphasized the need for economic resilience, such as diversifying income streams and building contingency plans, to withstand such crises. The panel outlined actionable steps to safeguard Kenya’s digital space. Some of the key recommendations included advocating for legislative frameworks that explicitly prohibit internet shutdowns, strengthening digital literacy to empower citizens to recognize and resist digital authoritarianism. They also proposed building coalitions of stakeholders, from civil society to tech companies, to defend internet freedoms.
Alphonce Odhiambo of the Internet Society Kenya Chapter called for collaborative efforts, stating, the digital space belongs to all of us. Defending it requires collective action and unwavering commitment.
Finally, the townhall was a powerful reminder of the internet’s importance as a tool for empowerment, connection, and innovation. The forum also provided a roadmap for ensuring that such disruptions do not recur. As a body that advocates for safeguarding of digital rights, our goal to foster dialogue and advocating for digital rights remains steadfast. Safeguarding Kenya’s digital space is not just a necessity it is a shared responsibility.