A recent report on the safety and security of bloggers in Kenya has highlighted a troubling rise in the number of 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), reveals that five bloggers have been killed between 2023 and 2024, with two more killed in 2021 and 2022.
Spanning six years, the report documents various violations, including at least 15 cases of bloggers being abducted or arrested, and three others facing different forms of mistreatment.
It reveals that bloggers in Kenya continue to face significant threats, primarily from legal, political, and technological challenges.
While legal frameworks have expanded the space for free expression, bloggers are increasingly subjected to harassment, surveillance, arbitrary arrests, and cyber threats.
“Blogging in Kenya has evolved from personal online journals to a critical platform for news, activism, and public discourse.
However, this transformation has exposed bloggers to significant risks both physical and digital,” the report notes.
A survey conducted among bloggers and civil society members found that all respondents had encountered security threats, with 58.3% rating their safety as “very unsafe.”
The threats they face include harassment, abduction, and even murder, especially when criticizing authorities or influential figures.
Digital risks, such as surveillance, hacking, and online harassment, are exacerbated by ambiguous cybercrime laws.
The report also highlighted the chilling effect of legal challenges, particularly the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act (2018), which further restrict freedom of expression, leading to widespread self-censorship.
When asked about the safety of bloggers in Kenya, 58.3% of respondents considered it “very unsafe,” 33.3% deemed it “somewhat unsafe,” and 8.4% felt it was neutral.
Additionally, all respondents confirmed that they knew bloggers who had faced security threats, including physical violence, cyber-attacks, threats of legal action, abduction, and murder.
The report also noted the increase in arrests and intimidation, particularly after the Gen Z protests of June 25, 2024.
Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, emphasized that many governments are now legalizing activities that were once illegal, including using spyware to monitor journalists and bloggers.
He stressed the importance of establishing legal frameworks to regulate mass surveillance.
James Wamathai, the Partnerships and Advocacy Manager at the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), argued that bloggers’ safety is a crucial issue for society at large. “If one class of society is not safe, no one is safe,” he stated.
Demas Kiprono, Deputy Director of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Kenya chapter, explained that the shift of democratic space to online platforms comes with inherent risks.
He called for a review of laws, public sensitization on rights, and continued advocacy to protect this vital space.
The report concludes with a call for the legal and constitutional recognition of Kenyan bloggers, emphasizing their essential role in promoting free speech, transparency, and democratic accountability.
