Telegram Blocked Again in Kenya Amid KCSE Exams

Update: Based on a Photo Circulating from Communication Authority:
The Communications Authority of Kenya has issued a directive ordering the temporary suspension of Telegram services in the country during the KCSE examination period. In a letter dated October 31, 2024, addressed to major telecommunications providers, including Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom, and Jamii Telecommunications, the authority cites concerns over the platform’s misuse, which allegedly compromises the integrity of national exams. The suspension is set to be enforced daily between 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, until November 22, 2024.

Telegram, the popular messaging app, is once again inaccessible on Kenyan networks, with disruptions primarily affecting Safaricom users. According to confirmation from NetBlocks, Telegram has been restricted on Safaricom’s 3G, 4G, 5G, and Home Fibre connections, effectively cutting off access for many users.

This recurring blockage comes during the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam period, sparking speculation that the government may be imposing these restrictions as a measure to curb exam-related information leaks. However, as was the case last year, no official communication has been issued by Kenyan authorities or Safaricom, leaving users frustrated and in the dark.

A Recurring Block: Telegram Access Restricted During Exam Season

This is not the first time that Kenyans have faced access issues with Telegram during the KCSE exams. In November 2023, similar disruptions were reported, and like this year, the outage was largely limited to Safaricom networks.

The timing of these blockages during critical exam periods raised questions about a potential link to efforts aimed at preventing exam cheating via Telegram channels. In 2023, affected users found that they could only access Telegram by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a workaround that indicated a likely regional restriction.

Yet, despite the impact on millions of Safaricom users, the government offered no explanation for the shutdown. This year, with NetBlocks confirming the restrictions on Telegram for Safaricom users once again, the lack of transparency is even more glaring. It appears that Kenyan authorities may be quietly enforcing digital restrictions without public accountability, a pattern that has troubling implications for digital rights.

Economic Impact: Losses in the Millions from Telegram Blockage

The impact of blocking access to a major communication platform like Telegram is not merely a matter of inconvenience. According to a report by Top10VPN.com, Kenya potentially lost $27 million in economic activity during the 2023 exam period due to the 192-hour Telegram shutdown. This estimated financial loss highlights the economic consequences of unannounced internet restrictions, particularly when they affect widely used platforms essential for both personal and professional communication.

Globally, intentional internet shutdowns cost the economy a staggering $9.01 billion in 2023, underscoring the significant repercussions of government-imposed restrictions on internet access. Kenya’s losses represent a smaller but still substantial portion of this total, suggesting that these restrictions during exam periods may be causing economic harm on a larger scale than initially anticipated. Given these financial stakes, the lack of transparency from Kenyan authorities is even more concerning, as affected parties—including businesses—are left unable to plan for or mitigate the impacts of these disruptions.

Silence from Authorities: Lack of Transparency, Communication, and Legal Oversight

One of the most concerning aspects of this situation is the complete absence of communication from Kenyan authorities regarding the restrictions on Telegram. There has been no public acknowledgment, no court orders, and no explanation provided by either Safaricom or government agencies like the Ministry of Education or the Communications Authority of Kenya. Both last year and this year, the authorities have remained silent, ignoring calls for transparency and accountability.

This lack of communication raises serious questions. Who authorized these shutdowns? What legal basis, if any, exists for restricting access to a communication platform? Why hasn’t any government body issued a statement explaining the need for such drastic measures? By failing to address these issues, the Kenyan government is eroding trust and fostering an environment where digital restrictions can be imposed at will, without any public oversight or due process.

The absence of clear, legal guidelines on internet shutdowns and restrictions is a worrying sign for Kenya’s governance in the digital age. If platforms like Telegram can be blocked without a formal announcement or legal backing, it opens the door to arbitrary censorship and potential abuse of power. Safaricom’s compliance with these unannounced restrictions also points to an unsettling relationship between the telecommunications provider and the state, further complicating the issue of accountability.

Digital Rights and Censorship: Privacy, Access, and Freedom at Stake

At its core, this repeated blocking of Telegram in Kenya touches on critical issues related to digital rights and freedoms. Access to the internet is increasingly recognized as a fundamental right, and platforms like Telegram play a significant role in enabling free communication. By restricting access without due process, Kenyan authorities are infringing on citizens’ right to information and freedom of expression.

The right to privacy is also under threat. If authorities are indeed blocking Telegram to control information flow during exam periods, this signals a troubling precedent where digital platforms can be selectively restricted to serve state interests. Such actions highlight the risk of government overreach, where restrictions are justified under vague concerns of “security” or “public interest” but lack transparency and legal grounding.

Moreover, Kenya’s push for stricter digital controls extends beyond Telegram. Recently, Safaricom has been at the center of controversy for allegedly aiding the police unlawfully, according to a report by Daily Nation.

This all comes as the government is pushing to implement IMEI tracking, purportedly for taxation purposes. This measure, ostensibly aimed at curbing tax evasion on imported devices, raises significant privacy concerns. If IMEI tracking is enabled, the government would have a powerful tool for surveillance, potentially enabling them to monitor users’ digital activity and location without proper checks and balances.

The Need for Transparency and Legal Oversight

The repeated restrictions on Telegram during Kenya’s KCSE exams highlight the urgent need for a clear and transparent policy on internet shutdowns. If there are valid security or public interest reasons for restricting access to certain platforms, these should be clearly articulated, justified, and legally sanctioned. Court orders or formal government communications should accompany any decision to limit digital access, ensuring that citizens are aware of the rationale and scope of such measures.

The government’s silence on this matter is not only irresponsible but also a potential threat to democracy. In the digital age, internet access and freedom from censorship are foundational elements of an open society. Without transparency and accountability, restrictions like the Telegram shutdown could easily be abused, allowing authorities to target other platforms and impose broader restrictions under the guise of “public interest.”

The allegations against Safaricom, as well as the government’s push for IMEI tracking, add to the urgency of establishing stronger legal protections for digital rights. Kenya’s internet users deserve to know when and why their access is restricted, and they have the right to challenge decisions that infringe upon their freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information.