Kenyan Government Throttles Internet Access As Protests Swell

The Kenyan government has throttled internet access in Kenya, according to Netblocks, an authoritative source regarding Cyber Security and internet shutdowns.

Netblocks, in a post on X reported that there is a major disruption in internet connectivity affecting not only cities in Kenya, but also neighboring Uganda and Burundi.

The post read: “Confirmed: Live network data show a major disruption to internet connectivity in #Kenya; the incident comes amidst a deadly crackdown by police on #RejectFinanceBill2024 protesters a day after authorities claimed there would be no internet shutdown.

“The ongoing internet disruption has impacted Kenya as well as neighboring countries including Uganda and Burundi; the incident is likely to limit coverage of events on the ground where protests are held.”

Many Kenyans have reported unusually slow internet speeds, as they fear the government may totally shut down the internet to cover up its violent clampdown on protesters. 

According to a blogger who has been giving live updates on the protests, “Wi-fi users are majorly affected.”

This is coming a day after the Kenya’s Communications Authority assured that it had “no intention whatsoever to shut down internet traffic or interfere with the quality of connectivity.”

In a statement it issued on Monday, it added that “an internet shutdown would be a betrayal of the constitution.”

Read more: #RejectFinanceBill: Protest Turns Bloody as Kenyans Storm Parliament Building

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Oluwatobi Odeyinka

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