Kenya is moving forward with the controversial Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to give the government more power to regulate online activities.
The bill, which proposes a number of expansions and clarifications to the 2018 Act, is facing strong opposition from digital rights groups, the media, and civil society, who warn that it could lead to government overreach and limit free speech.
Among the most contentious changes is Clause 3, which grants the National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee (NC4) authority to direct that websites and applications be blocked or made inaccessible within Kenya if they are found to “promote illegal activities, child pornography, terrorism, or extreme religious and cultist practices.”
This essentially formalizes and broadens state power to censor or limit access to digital platforms. The bill also updates definitions of key offenses. For example, it expands cyber harassment and phishing and introduces unauthorized SIM swap as a criminal offense.
Support, Pushback & Key Concerns
Supporters, including government officials, argue that the reforms are necessary to modernize Kenya’s legal framework to keep pace with evolving threats such as child exploitation, terrorism propaganda, radicalization, identity theft, and digital fraud.
They say the current law is outdated and lacks proactive mechanisms to remove harmful content or block dangerous platforms.
The push for faster regulation was echoed by Principal Secretary for Internal Security Dr. Raymond Omollo, who urged parliament to fast-track the amendments, citing multiple examples of misuse of online platforms to harm individuals and institutions.
Civil society organizations and legal advocates claim the bill could be used to suppress dissent, silence opposition, and limit freedom of expression under the guise of combating crime and radicalization.
READ: Social Media Censorship on the Horizon As Kenya Proposes Tougher Regulations
A major point of contention is the proposed fines and penalties, which are significantly higher than under the current law and viewed by many as punitive, especially for ordinary citizens.
On the implementation front, work is already underway for operational rules. Draft cybercrime and computer misuse regulations are nearing completion and expected to be tabled for public participation before being brought to Parliament.
