The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has stated that it has received numerous reports on internet shutdown on June 25, during the anti-finance bill protests.
In a statement, the authority has clarified that it has no intention of shutting down internet connectivity in the country, explaining that it would go against the constitution of Kenya.
Additionally, CA noted that Kenyans had the freedom to express their opinion within their rights.
However, the authority asked Kenyans to use the digital space with respect to all and within the confines of the law.
Also, CA said that the government is committed to ensuring the digital economy thrives and as such, shutting down the internet would amount to reversing the gains made in the sector.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Authority has no intention whatsoever to shut down Internet traffic or interfere with the quality of connectivity. Such actions would be a betrayal of the Constitution as a whole, the freedom of expression in particular and our own ethos.
“Further, such actions would also sabotage our fast-growing digital economy as Internet connectivity supports thousands of livelihoods across the country,” the statement read in part.
Also Read: Online Activism Reaches New Level as Kenyans Start Plan to Block Finance Bill
International Organizations raise concerns over internet shutdown
Earlier on Monday, June 24, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) warned the government against internet shutdown as a way of suppressing protests.
In a joint statement, twenty-seven international organizations and Kenyan associations, including content creators, lawyers, medical officers, and human rights defenders, warned that any such disruptions would severely undermine the rights of citizens to organize, demonstrate, and participate in policymaking processes.
The statement highlighted the critical role of the internet and mass media in ensuring the public’s right to be informed, freedom of expression, and the digital economy, which constitutes nearly 10% of Kenya’s GDP.
At the same time, the organizations pointed out that disrupting mass communication would exacerbate national uncertainty, hinder the provision of emergency medical services, and impede the tracing of missing persons.
Furthermore, internet shutdown would halt online transactions, slow economic activity, and cause significant economic harm.
Also Read: Kenyans Defy Gov’t Warning on Circulating MPs’ Contacts
Data Protection Commissioner Warning
On June 19, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) issued a warning to Kenyans sharing personal data without the owner’s permission.
ODPC said the data categorized as personal include names, telephone numbers, location and details of their family members.
“ODPC has established that there has been a recent trend of consolidating and sharing of personal information (names, telephone numbers, location and details of family members) of a certain category of citizens through social media platforms,” the statement read in parts.
Moments after the statement issued by the Commissioner, some social media users shared her contacts in a campaign to spam her phone with messages and calls concerning the warning.
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