During anti-government protests, the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) assured Kenyans that there would be no internet shutdown on Tuesday, June 25.
Kenyans had expressed concern that CA was planning a shutdown to ensure protests in Nairobi and other parts of the country did not go viral.
In a statement released by CA Director General David Mugonyi, protestors were assured there would be no imminent internet shutdown.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Authority has no intention whatsoever to shut down Internet traffic or interfere with the quality of connectivity,” the statement read in part.
“Such actions would be a betrayal of the Constitution as a whole, the freedom of expression in particular and our own ethos.”
Mugonyi further remarked that Kenya largely depended on Internet access as a key driver of the economy.
As such, he reasoned an internet shutdown would sabotage Kenya’s fast-growing economy with thousands of livelihoods put at risk.
While assuring Kenyans of uninterrupted internet access, CA warned of the misuse of that freedom.
“We urge Kenyans to use the digital space with respect to all and within the confines of the law,” Kenyans were warned.
On Monday, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) warned the government of shutting the internet as a way of suppressing protests.
Amnesty International, Bloggers Associations and over twenty other organisations remarked that the move would be a gross violation of human rights.
“Should the Government of Kenya attempt to block or restrict social and mass media during the #RejectFinance Bill2024 protests, we urge social media platforms to push back and uphold freedoms enshrined in Kenya's constitution and international human rights standards,” a statement from the organisations read in part.
