A letter dated October 31, 2024, has answered questions raised by Telegram users in Kenya regarding disruption on the popular messaging platform in the recent past.
Users had taken to other social media platforms to express frustration and concern over slow response on the platform.
In a letter addressed to telecommunication services providers, Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) Managing Director David Mungonyi requested regulation of Telegram services between 7am and 10am in the course of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam administration.
The Authority cited reports that the platform was being misused to perpetrate criminal activities including compromising KCSE’s integrity in the request.
“It has come to the attention of the Authority that the Telegram platform is being misused to perpetrate criminal activities, including compromising on the integrity of the ongoing national examinations,” reads part of the letter.
CA requests cooperation to control Telegram
The letter was addressed to Safaricom, Airtel, Telcom, and Jamii Telecommunications Limited (Faiba provider).
As per the CA request, the mentioned telcos were required to “use all available mechanisms to suspend the operation of Telegram Inc in the country”.
CA also took issue with Telegram’s response to concerns raised in the past, accusing the popular platform of being non-responsive despite requests made by various government agencies regarding groups hosted on its network.
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“Whereas all other social media platforms operating in Kenya have taken steps to address misuse of their platforms, we note with dismay that Telegram Inc. has remained non-responsive and continues to host offending forums and channels in blatant breach of the laws of the land,” added Mugonyi in the letter.
Telegram users had on Friday complained of interruptions which sparked speculations of possible causes. Metrics have since confirmed that Telegram services have been restricted in Kenya.
Frustration among Telegram users
In an update shared on Friday, Netblocks, an internet services watchdog organization, confirmed that Telegram’s had been affected in Kenya as a routine preventive measure taken during the KCSE period.
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“Metrics show that Telegram has been restricted in Kenya, corroborating user reports of disruption; the measure comes as students sit KCSE exams and is consistent with past restrictions of Telegram observed in the country as a measure to limit cheating during exams,” the organization reported.
Safaricom has been in the spotlight over allegations of abetting abductions by revealing users’ information to the police.
However, Safaricom denied these allegations, clarifying that it shares such information only in line with the law through a court order.
Meanwhile, Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr Belio Kipsang has warned school heads against exam malpractices. This comes after the arrest of teachers accused of engaging in malpractices in the 2024 KCSE.
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