A recent Amnesty International report highlights an alarming rise in digital repression in Kenya, especially during the Gen Z‑led protests of 2024 and 2025. Based on in‑depth interviews with 31 young human‑rights defenders and extensive social‑media analysis, the report documents a disturbing pattern of state‑linked online harassment, coordinated disinformation, and unlawful surveillance targeting peaceful protesters and outspoken online voices.
Digital platforms such as TikTok, X and WhatsApp played a central role in mobilising the demonstrations. They enabled young people to organise protests, share critical information and crowdsource support for victims of police abuse. In response, the government deployed a mix of digital and traditional repression, including online threats, doxxing, smear campaigns and internet disruptions.
The report underscores the disproportionate impact of tech‑facilitated violence on young women and LGBTI activists, who suffered gender‑based attacks such as AI‑generated sexual imagery and homophobic hate campaigns. Coordinated pro‑government disinformation networks—often linked to paid influencer groups—sought to delegitimize protesters by portraying them as foreign agents or “paid activists.” Moreover, the telecommunications infrastructure was weaponised, with credible allegations of illegal access to phone data and live‑location tracking used to identify and target vocal activists.
Police violence escalated during the protests, resulting in at least 3,000 arbitrary arrests, 83 enforced disappearances and 128 killings between 2024 and 2025. The Kenyan government’s use of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act to intimidate activists, file unjust charges and block online content has further exacerbated the situation.
Despite this hostile environment, young Kenyans continue to organise, speak out and demand justice, reflecting a generation deeply committed to building a rights‑respecting Kenya. The report warns that Kenya stands at a dangerous turning point for digital rights, civic space and democratic participation. It calls for an end to tech‑facilitated violence, accountability for the killings and disappearances, and an investigation into illegal surveillance. It also urges tech companies and telecom providers to uphold human rights in their operations and demands that the Kenyan government recognise dissent—online or offline—as a constitutional right.
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