A new report on the safety and security of bloggers in Kenya has revealed a troubling rise in deaths, abductions, and arrests of bloggers and activists in 2024. The report, titled “Devolved Impunity: The Safety and Security of Bloggers in Kenya (2019 – 2024),” has been produced by Paradigm Initiative, the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), and Article 19 Eastern Africa. It documents violations over the past five years, highlighting the growing risks faced by bloggers.
The report states that the safety and security of bloggers in Kenya remain precarious, with threats emerging from legal, political, and technological sources. While legal platforms have expanded opportunities for free expression, bloggers continue to face harassment, surveillance, arbitrary arrests, and cyber threats.
During the report’s launch, ‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, warned that governments are increasingly legalising illegal activities, including investing in spyware to monitor journalists. He emphasised that mass surveillance should not occur without clear legal frameworks to regulate it.
“Many governments are using existing laws on terrorism and cybercrime to legalise actions that should be illegal. This has led to scenarios where journalists are monitored through spyware, impeding their work,” he said.
James Wamathai, Partnerships and Advocacy Manager at BAKE, called for stronger protections for bloggers and digital rights.
“We are asking to be protected. The same human rights should be preserved online. If one class of society is not safe, no one is safe. The safety and security of bloggers is something everyone should care about,” he said.
Demas Kiprono, Deputy Director at the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Kenya chapter, noted that democratic engagement has shifted online, bringing new risks. He stressed the need to review laws, educate citizens on their rights, and push for legal reforms to safeguard online freedoms.
“This is a trend that has been happening, and what we see is a need to protect digital spaces. Civil society will continue pushing for reforms through litigation and advocacy to ensure that democratic space is safeguarded,” Kiprono stated.
Angela Minayo, Programmes Officer at Article 19 Eastern Africa, highlighted increasing intolerance to criticism at both national and county government levels. She raised concerns over sections of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, arguing that its enforcement has led to the criminalisation of online speech.
“The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act is the law of choice for targeting bloggers. We need to be concerned not just with the offences but also with the investigative powers given to government agencies. Additionally, the amendment bill seeks to grant the National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee (NC4) the authority to block websites accused of illegal activities,” she warned.
The report highlights the continued use of arrests, legal intimidation, digital surveillance, and enforced disappearances as methods to suppress bloggers and critics of the government. This is despite constitutional protections for free expression and court rulings that have struck down overly broad laws.
It recommends greater collaboration between civil society, media organisations, and policymakers to create a safer online environment. It stresses that addressing these threats is crucial to ensuring that Kenya upholds its commitment to freedom of expression and the protection of digital rights in an evolving online landscape.
