Kenya’s Digital Gains Threatened by Rising State Overreach – BAKE Report
Kenya’s impressive strides as a regional ICT powerhouse are being undermined by escalating threats to digital rights, according to a new report by the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE).
The State of the Internet in Kenya: 2020-2024 paints a picture of a nation that has achieved unprecedented connectivity, a booming digital economy, and a thriving startup scene. Mobile subscriptions hit 71 million by 2024, with mobile money accounts reaching 42.3 million. Tech innovations in agriculture, health, and logistics have attracted major investments, cementing Kenya’s place as a continental leader.
Yet, BAKE warns these gains are being overshadowed by growing state surveillance, censorship, and repression. Laws such as the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act (CMCA) have been used to target bloggers, journalists, and activists, with documented cases of harassment, abduction, and even killings. Internet shutdowns during public dissent, including the #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests, signal a sharp departure from Kenya’s history of open internet access.
“Our progress is being undermined by government overreach and repression,” said James Wamathai, BAKE’s Director of Partnerships & Advocacy. “The internet should empower citizens, not be weaponised against them.”
The report also spotlights the human cost of the digital economy. Content moderators endure disturbing material without adequate mental health support, while online creators face exploitation, legal uncertainty, and intellectual property theft. The Motaung v Samasource & Meta case has brought global attention to the rights of outsourced tech workers.
Misinformation campaigns by “bloggers for hire” further erode trust and threaten democracy. BAKE urges urgent reforms, including amending repressive laws, protecting digital workers, and ensuring independent regulation.
The report concludes that Kenya stands at a crossroads its digital future could be one of freedom and prosperity, or one constrained by state control and corporate exploitation.
