The Kenyan government has lamented about the online activism by Kenyans, saying it is undermining its credibility and delegitimize its initiatives locally and internationally.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs on Thursday expressed concern over recent cyber activities, which it said are “spreading misinformation and disinformation aimed at undermining the credibility of the government”.
“These activities, initially sparked by genuine protests by “Gen Zs,” have evolved into organised cyberattacks by a few social media influencers and seek to delegitimize government initiatives, discourage high-level visits, and de-campaign Kenya’s candidates for international and regional positions while sending intimidatory messages to members of the international community,” the ministry said.
The ministry added that the cyber activities, the majority of which are Al-generated deepfakes, fabricated narratives, widespread misinformation campaigns, and coordinated auto-generated emails, are being sent to foreign capitals.
This refers to recent actions by Kenyans who have written to the Dutch government and initiated a petition calling for the cancellation of a scheduled state visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima.
The Dutch Foreign ministry has confirmed receiving over 300 such emails from Kenyans.
Kenyans have opposed the royal visit scheduled for March 18 to March 20, 2025 citing Kenya’s human rights violations, especially during and after Gen Z protests, enforced disappearances of government critics and opposition figures from neighbouring countries.
To contain the situation, the Foreign Affairs ministry said the government is addressing the situation by developing a Technology Responsibility Charter aimed at promoting accountability and ethical practices in the digital space.
Among the interventions the government said it has effected to address concerns raised by Kenyans include the establishment of a broad-based government, which has included allies of former opposition leader Raila Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, as well as the withdrawal of the contested Finance Bill (2024).
Additionally, the ministry claimed that the government has expanded the civic space through a “vibrant Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF)on Open Government that allows reforms to be co-created with civil society, development partners and missions”, and that it is ensuring rights and safety protection of all individuals”.
However, cases of abductions have been on the rise, with at least 80 people still missing, according to Kenya Human Rights Commission.
On the same day the ministry issued the statement, their Interior counterparts directed that all social media organisations operating in Kenya must establish a physical presence.
Interior PS Raymond Omollo said the “increasing misuse of social media, including harassment, hate speech, and incitement to violence, necessitates immediate and decisive measures”.
”To ensure responsibility and accountability in the face of rising disinformation, social media manipulation, and online abuse, all social media organizations operating in the country must establish a physical presence within our jurisdiction,” the Ministry of Interior announced.
This was a culmination of calls by senior government officials, including President William Ruto and Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, to regulate use of social media.
Critics view this as another attempt to restrict freedom of speech and expression in Kenya, which has been reducing since the Gen Z demos.
But the Foreign ministry assured all Diplomatic Missions, UN Agencies, and International Organizations of its willingness to discuss any concerns or clarifications.
“…the ministry remains open to addressing these shared risks while fostering constructive dialogue, mutual understanding, and adherence to its constitutional and international obligations,” the statement said.
