Don’t Turn Off Internet – Kenyan Govt Urged

KICTANet, a multi-stakeholder think tank for ICT policy and regulation, has urged the Kenyan government to refrain from enforcing any Internet shutdowns or information controls in response to the ongoing protests the passage of the Finance Bill 2024.

According to KICTANet, such measures would infringe on the fundamental rights and freedoms of Kenyans as well as negatively impact Kenya’s economy, democracy, and reputation in the eyes of the international community.

“Kenya’s constitution and international human rights legislation safeguard the fundamental rights to freedom of expression, access to information and picketing which would be violated by internet shutdowns and information controls. By prohibiting citizens from engaging in public conversation and holding the government responsible, they subvert democratic processes,” KICTANet said in a press release.

KICTANET said a blackout of the Internet in Kenya would have disastrous economic effects and would affect e-commerce, mobile money, and the digital startup sector.

“Kenya’s thriving e-commerce business would be severely disrupted. In 2022, it was estimated that Kenya’s e-commerce business was worth $2.1 billion. The Internet Society’s Pulse NetLoss calculator estimates that a total Internet outage may cost Kenya’s economy $6.3m in lost Gross Domestic Product (GDP) every day,” part of the press release states.

The Finance Bill 2024 has already encountered strong opposition, and using digital activism. This has prompted the Kenya government to withdraw several contentious clauses.