Demonstrations against the controversial Finance Bill 2024 escalated into violence on Tuesday, and reports of internet throttling and disruptions have fueled an already volatile situation in Kenya.
The protests, organized under the hashtag #RejectFinanceBill2024, have not only led to the tragic loss of life but also raised serious concerns about digital rights and freedom of expression in Kenya.
NetBlocks, a global internet monitor, has noted that the ongoing internet disruption has impacted Kenya as well as neighbouring countries including Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi. The potential goal of the outage is likely to limit coverage of events on the ground where protests are being held, potentially obscuring the full extent of the unrest from both local and international observers.
The Communication Authority of Kenya had initially dismissed rumours of an imminent internet shutdown on June 24, stating that such actions would be “a betrayal of the constitution.” However, by June 25, numerous users reported degraded internet service, with some experiencing significant slowdowns and intermittent connectivity.
Safaricom, Kenya’s largest telecommunications provider, acknowledged the issue, citing an outage on two undersea cables that deliver internet traffic to and from Kenya. The company claimed to have “activated redundancy measures to minimize service interruption,” but warned customers they might experience “degraded service, internet speeds, and intermittency.”
However, scepticism about the official explanation grew as a screenshot circulated on social media, purportedly from a telecom provider, stating that internet interruptions were being implemented as a “national security measure” in response to the protests. Adding to the controversy, Robert Alai, a prominent blogger and ward representative, alleged that the Kenya Internet Exchange Point had been switched off entirely.
These reports have alarmed digital rights advocates and civil society organizations. A coalition of 27 international organizations and Kenyan associations released a statement on June 24, expressing deep concerns about potential internet and mass media disruptions during the demonstrations. The group, which includes Access Now, Amnesty International Kenya, and the Kenya Human Rights Commission, emphasized the critical role of the internet and mass media in upholding citizens’ rights to information, self-expression, and participation in the democratic process.
“Shutting down or throttling the internet, shadow-banning hashtags, or imposing a mass media ban on live reporting would be a gross violation of fundamental human rights,” the statement read. “It will undermine the legitimate rights of people to organize, demonstrate, and participate in policymaking processes.”
The coalition also highlighted the economic implications of such disruptions, noting that the digital economy accounts for nearly 10% of Kenya’s GDP. Internet shutdowns not only halt online transactions but also slow down overall economic activity, potentially causing significant harm to businesses and individuals alike.
In this context, internet access is crucial for human rights monitoring, coordinating emergency services, and ensuring public safety. “Disrupting mass communication will increase national uncertainty, cut off the public and authorities from reliable updates, and choke the timely deployment of emergency medical services and the tracing of missing persons,” the coalition’s statement warned.
The situation in Kenya echoes a troubling global trend. The ACCESS 2023 report noted that total or partial internet shutdowns are becoming increasingly common government strategies for responding to public protests. Such tactics often serve to cover up human rights violations, state-sanctioned violence against peaceful protesters, abductions, and killings.
As the protests continue and the debate over the Finance Bill 2024 rages on, the issue of internet throttling has become a flashpoint in the broader struggle for democratic rights in Kenya. The government’s handling of this crisis could have far-reaching implications for the country’s reputation as a stable democracy and a growing tech hub in East Africa.
Kenyan authorities now face the challenging task of balancing national security concerns with the protection of civil liberties. As the world watches, the outcome of this delicate balancing act could set a precedent for how other nations in the region and beyond respond to civil unrest in the digital age.
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Kenya can navigate this crisis while upholding its democratic principles and maintaining its position as a leader in digital innovation in Africa. For now, citizens, activists, and international observers remain vigilant, monitoring both the streets of Nairobi and the digital highways that have become an integral part of modern civic engagement.
