Disinformation has become one of the most powerful tools used to undermine civic spaces around the world, and Kenya is no exception. As digital platforms continue to shape public discourse, organised networks and malicious actors have increasingly turned to false narratives to weaken the work of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) and civil society organisations (CSOs). Their goal is simple, to distort truth, silence accountability, and erode public trust in institutions that safeguard rights.
In Kenya, HRDs often stand at the frontlines of sensitive issues corruption, police accountability, land rights, gender justice, elections, and digital freedoms. This positioning makes them prime targets for coordinated disinformation campaigns. One of the most common tactics is character assassination where they are portrayed as “foreign-funded disruptors,” “anti-development activists,” or participants in fabricated scandals. These narratives are deliberately designed to delegitimise advocacy efforts and shift public focus away from the real issues being raised.
Another tactic involves flooding online spaces with misleading or manipulated content. During politically charged periods, for instance, bots and state-aligned online influencers may amplify distorted narratives to drown out factual reporting. This harms not only HRDs but also the broader civic ecosystem, as public debate becomes polluted with noise rather than informed by evidence. Women HRDs face an even sharper edge of this weapon—gendered disinformation, including sexualised rumours and targeted harassment, which seeks to intimidate and push them out of public spaces.
Disinformation also impedes the operational capacity of civil society organisations. When the credibility of organisations is questioned, donors may hesitate, communities may lose trust, and partnerships may weaken. In extreme cases, HRDs face threats to their safety due to inflammatory narratives that portray them as enemies of the state or instigators of unrest.
Yet, despite these challenges, Kenya’s civil society continues to build resilience. Organisations are increasingly prioritising digital safety, equipping activists with fact-checking skills, and collaborating with platforms and regulators to promote responsible information flows. Community-driven fact-checking initiatives are also gaining momentum empowering citizens to identify falsehoods before they spread.
Addressing disinformation requires a combined effort of stronger digital literacy among citizens, clear legal safeguards that protect HRDs, transparent processes from platforms, and continuous advocacy for an open and safe digital environment.