Kenya
Kenya needs to ensure more protection of online rights by bringing its laws and practices in line with international human rights standards.
Kenya is located in eastern Africa and currently has a population estimate of 56.2 million people. It has a Constitution which was enacted in 2010 and provides for various rights in its chapter four including the right to freedom of expression, privacy, association, assembly and information. One of the major issues with respect to protecting digital rights in Kenya has to do with the government's unfettered access to and demand for citizens’ personal information. The 2019 data protection provides broad exemptions for personal data processing for purposes of national security and public interest. Cost remains a barrier to internet access and there is a need to ensure more connections for the unconnected in Kenya, particularly in rural areas. In addition to these issues, journalists, bloggers, activists and private citizens critical of the government face arrests and judicial harassment through problematic laws like the provisions of the sections 23 and 27 of Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018.
17.9%
Households with internet access in 2019
75.4%
Individuals using internet in 2020
0
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in 2020
69/180
Press Freedom Ranking in 2022
Upr cycle
Kenya was last reviewed in January 2020. Their next review is in 9 months, which is scheduled for January 2025. It is currently in the Drafting period phase of its UPR cycle. To find out more about the UPR lifecycle click on the Uproar Tools button
Digital Rights and Free Expression Recommendations
Resources
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Partner organisations
Over a hundred local and international human rights organisations are part of the wider Uproar programme. You can find them listed here.
Kenya cluster
The country clusters are a local working group in each Uproar target country made up of our partner organisations. The clusters are organised by local lead organisations, who then coordinate local civil society and human rights defenders with digital rights expertise to engage in national-level advocacy and campaigning.