A recent joined report revealed that META’s WhatsApp and Facebook are the primary platforms for online abuse.
The social media platforms recorded the highest percentages of incidents, with 69.4% of respondents identifying Facebook and 55.6% identifying WhatsApp as spaces where they experienced technology-facilitated gender-based-violence (TFGBV). ‘X’, formerly twitter, is said to be used in mobilizing protests and as targets for government crackdowns and censorship.
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) report raised alarm over the state of human rights in Kenya’s digital space, painting a troubling picture of widening digital divides, curtailed freedoms, and escalating online gender-based violence. This sheds light on the pervasive nature of online violence and its disproportionate impact on women and public figures in the country.
According to KICTANet, the surge in technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), with women politicians, journalists, and activists being the primary targets. Over 50% of women surveyed reported experiencing online harassment, ranging from trolling to non-consensual sharing of intimate images. This violence discourages women’s participation in public life and online spaces.
“Online violence against women is not just a tech issue; it’s a human rights crisis,” said Dr. Grace Githaiga of KICTANet, one of the report’s contributors.
The abuse is said to extend beyond virtual boundaries, affecting victims’ mental health and public engagement. It was noted that women candidates often avoided social media during campaigns to escape harassment, with many pausing their activity altogether.
Furthermore, TFGBV has amplified pre-existing societal inequalities. For instance, deep fake technology was used to create explicit or defamatory images targeting women leaders, such as a doctored digital card during the 2022 elections aimed at discrediting a candidate.
Martha Karua, a candidate for Deputy President position in the 2022 Kenyan general elections, is said to have been targeted by gendered disinformation designed to discredit her and hinder her campaign, contributing to the broader issue of technology-facilitated gender-based violence in Kenya. She faced online abuse and harassment fueled by false and manipulated content, including tactics such as deepfake technology.
Freedom of Expression Under Siege
While Kenya’s 2010 Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, recent years have seen increasing restrictions. The controversial Cybercrimes Act has been criticized for vague provisions that criminalize online speech, leading to the arrests of bloggers, activists, and journalists. Police crackdowns during protests, like the recent demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024, resulted in widespread allegations of abuse and censorship.
Human rights groups are calling for reforms to align legislation with international standards, warning that current laws stifle dissent and erode democratic values.
Over 70% of rural residents lack reliable internet access despite Kenya’s digital connectivity said to have improved with advanced infrastructure like submarine fiber cables linking the nation to global networks. Women and marginalized groups face disproportionate exclusion, with internet access rates standing at just 39% for women compared to 59% for men. High data costs and inadequate rural infrastructure further compound the problem.
“The digital divide is more than an access issue; it’s a matter of equity,” the report states, urging targeted investments and subsidies to bridge gaps.
The stakeholders behind the report propose comprehensive recommendations such as expansion of affordable internet access to rural areas, revision of laws like the Cybercrimes Act to safeguard free expression, strengthening protections against government surveillance and Enhancing legal frameworks to address TFGBV effectively.
Social media platforms are asked to adopt transparent content moderation policies and collaborate with local communities to tackle disinformation and online abuse.
Different countries have been seen to be on the front to amend and implement regulations, Mauritius recently banned social media access before their election citing national security risk. In the month of April, the US Senate and House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill known as Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA). In 2020, Tanzania’s government launched a crackdown on social media posts that it perceives as ‘inciteful’ and ‘misleading’ on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, as per Citizen.
As Kenya continues its journey toward becoming a digital-first economy, the report is urging the government, private sector, and civil society to work together for a more inclusive and just digital landscape.
“Online platforms must take responsibility for creating safe environments,” said Dr Githaiga.
