Kenya is Sliding Back on Internet Freedoms—Here’s What the Londa Report Found

Kenya has been flagged for a disturbing regression in internet freedom in the newly released Londa 2024 Digital Rights and Inclusion Report, which evaluates how 27 African countries comply with key human rights principles related to digital access, freedom of expression, and inclusion.

Published by Paradigm Initiative (PIN) and unveiled at the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF) 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia, the latest report introduces a new Score Index that ranks countries based on their commitment to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information. While Kenya appears in the top 10 on the continent, the report makes clear that this standing conceals troubling developments – most notably, deliberate internet disruptions in 2024 that contradict the country’s constitutional guarantees of free expression and access to information.

Kenya’s Alarming Regression in Internet Freedom

The Londa report singles out Kenya for two significant government-imposed internet disruptions in 2024. These are not isolated incidents but part of what the report describes as a pattern of deliberate state action to control digital communication and suppress dissent.

Two Major Internet Disruptions in 2024

• On June 25–26, during the height of the anti-tax protests, Kenya experienced nationwide internet throttling, reducing speeds to just 42% of normal connectivity. This coincided with reports of excessive force by police, as revealed in a BBC Africa Eye investigation that relied heavily on citizen-captured video evidence.
• On November 8, during the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, the government blocked access to Telegram. This mirrored a similar move in 2023 and was widely interpreted as an effort to curb exam leakages, but no official justification was provided by the Communications Authority of Kenya.

A Pattern of Shutdowns, Not Accidents

Unlike some disruptions in The Gambia, which were caused by undersea cable failures, the report confirms that Kenya’s disruptions were deliberate government decisions. This places Kenya in the same category as Comoros, Mauritius, and Mozambique, where state-enabled internet shutdowns violated both national and international commitments.

Kenya’s Score and What It Means

Kenya received a score of 28 out of 60 in the new Londa Score Index – placing it in the “mildly compliant” tier. The report notes that this is a step backwards compared to previous years and warns that:

“Kenya has retrogressed regarding promotion of internet access.”

This regression is particularly concerning given Kenya’s historical reputation as a leader in digital innovation and mobile financial inclusion.

Suppression Through Silence and Lack of Transparency

The government’s failure to explain these disruptions raises broader concerns about accountability and transparency. Despite the constitutional guarantee of the right to access information, Kenyan authorities have provided little to no clarity on who authorized these shutdowns or under what legal framework they were carried out.

Internet Shutdowns Across the Continent

The Londa Report identifies internet disruptions as a recurring feature across Africa in 2024. Out of the 27 countries studied, multiple nations experienced either complete or partial shutdowns:

• Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, and Mozambique were found to have deliberately shut down the internet.
• The Gambia, meanwhile, suffered connectivity issues due to multiple undersea cable failures.

The report states:

“The marked increase in internet shutdowns is a reflection of the reluctance of some African countries to comply with international human rights law and a demonstrated dereliction of duty… to promote freedom of expression and access to information.”

Countries like Somalia were praised for making progress in affordability and access despite overall lower rankings, showing that improvement is possible even with limited resources.

Gender Inequality in Internet Access

The Londa 2024 report highlights a growing digital gender divide, where women are less likely to own smartphones and more likely to depend solely on mobile internet. The high cost of data remains a major barrier, disproportionately affecting women’s ability to access information, participate in the digital economy, or engage in civic discourse.

Furthermore, online gender-based violence remains unaddressed in many countries’ legal frameworks. Most governments, including Kenya’s, rely on general constitutional protections rather than specific laws designed to tackle online abuse. The report stresses that this approach fails to offer meaningful protection in the digital age.

Language accessibility is another overlooked barrier. The report urges African governments to prioritize the localization of online services and content into African languages to ensure broader and more inclusive access.

Children Still Unprotected Online

Most African countries lack dedicated policies for child online safety, and Kenya is no exception. Although Kenya has passed the Children Act, the Data Protection Act (2019), and recently published a National Strategy on Justice for Children (2023–2028), none of these frameworks specifically address the threats children face online.

In contrast, countries like Gambia, Tanzania, Malawi, and Ghana have introduced or are developing National Child Online Protection strategies – a move the report praises and recommends for broader adoption.

Digital Expression Under Threat

The report criticizes the continued criminalization of “false news” across multiple African countries. Such laws are often vague and easily abused to silence dissent or punish journalists, activists, and everyday citizens.

PIN urges governments to adopt civil remedies, in line with international standards, instead of using criminal sanctions which have a chilling effect on public discourse and undermine freedom of expression.

Transparency and the Use of Public Funds

The Londa Report also raises questions about the use of Universal Service Funds (USFs) – public monies meant to expand internet access to underserved communities.

While Kenya has a USF managed by the Communications Authority of Kenya, no data was provided in 2024 on how those funds were used. This lack of disclosure calls into question whether public resources are being used effectively to promote equitable digital inclusion.

Beyond funding, the report critiques governments that fail to use digital platforms to proactively disclose information. Kenya, for example, has yet to make meaningful use of open data tools to inform the public or involve citizens in digital policy-making.

Data Protection Without Enforcement is Hollow

Although many countries, including Kenya, have passed data protection laws, enforcement remains weak. The Londa report points out that even where strong legal frameworks exist, Data Protection Authorities lack independence, resources, or political backing.

In Kenya, questions persist about the enforcement power and autonomy of the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, limiting the impact of the 2019 law in practice.

What the Report Recommends

PIN outlines a series of recommendations for African governments, including:

• Cease internet shutdowns and enforce protections for free expression online.
• Develop national policies for child online safety.
• Ensure gender equality in access to data, devices, and digital education.
• Enact specific laws to combat online gender-based violence.
• Improve transparency in public fund use, especially around digital infrastructure.
• Repeal criminal defamation and false news laws, replacing them with civil frameworks.
• Support localization of online services in local languages.
• Strengthen data protection enforcement through independent and empowered regulators.
• Invest in digital literacy to ensure inclusion reaches underserved and rural communities.

A Continental Conversation: DRIF 2025 in Zambia

The Londa 2024 report was launched at the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF), held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia from April 29 to May 1, 2025. The event drew 1,300+ participants from 65 countries, including policymakers, UN representatives, civil society, tech companies, and donors.

This year’s theme – “Promoting Digital Ubuntu in Approaches to Technology” – underscored the need for a people-centered digital future. DRIF 2025 also featured the premiere of Whispers in the Wires, a short film based on the 2023 Londa report, and the launch of The PIN Story: A Work in Progress, chronicling the organization’s journey from a small cybercafé in Lagos to a pan-African voice for digital rights.

The forum was structured around six key thematic areas:

• Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
• Trust and Accountability
• Data Protection, Privacy, and Cybersecurity
• Digital Inclusion and Marginalized Groups
• Digital Security
• Human Rights and Freedoms

Conclusion: The Urgent Need for Digital Accountability in Kenya

Kenya’s slide backward in digital freedoms is a warning sign. As other countries in Africa adopt progressive policies to expand access and protect users, Kenya risks entrenching repression through silence, shutdowns, and inaction.

The right to access information, speak freely online, and connect without fear of surveillance or censorship is not a luxury – it is a democratic necessity. The findings in the Londa 2024 report should serve as a call to action for lawmakers, civil society, and citizens alike to demand transparency, accountability, and reform.