Internet disruptions reported in Kenya as anti-tax protests escalate
TLDR
- NetBlocks reports major internet disruption in Kenya due to protests against tax hikes amid economic challenges and corruption.
- Users facing slow or interrupted internet connections with effects spreading to Uganda and Burundi.
- Kenya's ICT regulator denies plans to shut down the internet, emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression and connectivity.
London-based internet rights monitoring group NetBlocks has reported a major internet disruption in Kenya following widespread demonstrations against a government bill to hike taxes amid tough economic times and widespread corruption.
The police response to the protests has been violent, intensifying the public outcry. Users have reported interrupted or slow internet connections, and NetBlocks confirmed that the outage has also affected neighboring countries Uganda and Burundi.
This disruption comes despite a statement from Kenya’s ICT regulator, the Communications Authority, on Monday, asserting that it had no plans to shut down or interfere with the internet.
Points clés à retenir
Kenya has a history of internet shutdowns. In December 2023, Telegram was periodically blocked for over a week due to an alleged leak of secondary school exam papers on the platform. This social media shutdown lasted 192 hours and cost $27m in internet restrictions. Currently, nationwide anti-government protests have left at least 17 people dead amid a brutal police crackdown. These demonstrations were sparked by President Ruto’s plan to implement a series of unpopular taxes to generate an additional $2.3bn for the budget year starting July 1. Protesters are demanding that lawmakers scrap the entire plan, despite some contentious levies, such as a 16% tax on bread, being dropped. In light of these events, Kenya’s sovereign dollar bonds are sinking. The nation’s 2031 debt security fell on Wednesday to its lowest price since issuance in February, making Kenyan bonds among the worst performers in emerging and frontier markets since June 18, when the demonstrations began.
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