Urgent Inquiry: Potential Internet Shutdown and Restriction of Rights in Kenya

Dear Sidney,

You should check these public statements and calls for accountability.

During the demos, together with other CSOs, KICTANet issued several
statements to keep the government in check.
1. Urgent Concerns Regarding Internet Shutdown in Kenya during the
#RejectFinanceBill2024 demonstrations
<www.kictanet.or.ke/urgent-concerns-regarding-internet-shutdown-in-kenya-during-the-rejectfinancebill2024-demonstrations/>
2. Kenya’s Internet Disrupted During Protests: A Violation of Human Rights
<www.kictanet.or.ke/kenyas-internet-disrupted-during-protests-a-violation-of-human-rights/>
3. Statement on arrest and detention of bloggers
<www.kictanet.or.ke/statement-rejectfinancebill2024-kenyas-youth-erupt-online-face-crackdown/>
4. Joint Statement – A Call Against Internet Shutdowns
<www.kictanet.or.ke/joint-statement-a-call-against-internet-shutdowns-in-kenya-during-june-2024-demonstrations/>
in
Kenya during June 2024 demonstrations. (issued before the internet was shut
down)

Other important works
5. How Kenyan Youth Leveraged Social Media for Powerful Resistance
<www.kictanet.or.ke/rejectfinancebill2024-trends-how-kenyan-youth-leveraged-social-media-for-powerful-resistance/>
6. Protecting Kenyan Protestors: Tatua’s Digital Resilience Support
<www.kictanet.or.ke/protecting-kenyan-protestors-tatuas-digital-resilience-support/>

Best Regards,
______________________
Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya
www.linkedin.com/in/mwendwa-kivuva

On Fri, 12 Jul 2024 at 15:50, Sidney Ochieng via KICTANet <
[email protected]> wrote:

> Listers,
> I know we’ve, collectively, been going through a lot here but the silence
> on this is deafening at this point. We’ve had conflicting reports from
> providers and the government. Has KICTANET tried to ask any of them
> questions? I’m very disappointed we’re not talking about this.
>
> On Fri, 28 Jun 2024 at 11:52, Ronald Ojino <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Listers,
>> It gets more weird when you read such statements from the PS incharge
>> www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/corporate/companies/ps-contradicts-safaricom-airtel-on-internet-outage–4670844
>>
>> So who is telling the truth? Because we also read from international
>> sources that contradict the local Telcos…
>> Regards
>>
>> On Wed, 26 Jun 2024, 4:40 pm Sidney Ochieng via KICTANet, <
>> [email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> Listers,
>>> We’ve had a statement
>>> <x.com/PeterNdegwa_/status/1805887792985047168> from the CEO of
>>> Safcom. To say the least it beggars belief. Where is the Communications
>>> Authority in this? I know there’s some of them on this list. You
>>> promised <x.com/CA_Kenya/status/1805311316719993274> so come
>>> explain yourselves.
>>>
>>> On Tue, 25 Jun 2024 at 17:55, Sidney Ochieng <[email protected]>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> We had a statement just this morning that there would be no shutdowns
>>>> or slow downs. What is happening?!!!
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, 25 Jun 2024 at 17:24, David Indeje via KICTANet <
>>>> [email protected]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Dear Listers,
>>>>>
>>>>> We are writing to express our deep concern regarding possible internet
>>>>> disruptions in Kenya, particularly in light of the alleged shutdown of
>>>>> landing stations and the potential for further throttling or even a
>>>>> complete shutdown.
>>>>>
>>>>> While the Communication Authority said it had no intention to restrict
>>>>> internet access, the current situation raises serious red flags. It appears
>>>>> to contradict the Kenyan constitution and international human rights law,
>>>>> which guarantee fundamental freedoms like freedom of expression, access to
>>>>> information, and peaceful assembly.
>>>>>
>>>>> These rights are essential for democratic processes to function
>>>>> properly. When citizens cannot freely communicate and hold their government
>>>>> accountable, it undermines the very foundation of a democracy.
>>>>>
>>>>> We urge you to investigate this matter with urgency and clarity.
>>>>>
>>>>> KICTAnet and our partners stand firmly against any attempts to control
>>>>> or restrict internet access in Kenya. We believe an open and accessible
>>>>> internet is essential for economic development, social progress, and a
>>>>> strong democracy.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>