Kenya has been ranked among the top 10 African countries for digital rights compliance, according to the newly launched 2024 Londa Digital Rights and Inclusion in Africa report by Paradigm Initiative (PIN). However, the report also sounds the alarm over a concerning rise in government-initiated internet shutdowns in the country.
Released at the just-concluded Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF) in Lusaka, Zambia, the report introduces a new Score Index that evaluates how well 27 African countries uphold key digital rights and freedoms. While South Africa tops the index, Kenya joins the likes of Nigeria, Rwanda, and Tunisia in the top 10—a sign of notable progress, but one that’s marred by critical issues.
Kenya, Comoros, Mauritius, and Mozambique all experienced deliberate internet disruptions in 202. Unlike The Gambia, where outages were attributed to undersea cable issues, the disruptions in Kenya were attributed directly to government actions.
“The marked increase in internet shutdowns is a reflection of the reluctance of some African countries to comply with international human rights law,” the report notes, warning that such actions undermine freedom of expression and access to information.
Kenya being in the top 10 comes with mixed signals. On one hand, the country shows commitment to some digital rights principles. On the other hand, it is backsliding on others. This is particularly so when it comes to ensuring reliable and open access to the internet for all citizens.
The report also shares how the high cost of mobile data disproportionately affects women’s access to online spaces in Kenya. It also reveals how the lack of robust policies makes it difficult to protect users, especially children, from online abuse.
Paradigm Initiative, the group behind the report, has a strong footprint in Kenya through advocacy work and youth-focused digital literacy programs. The organisation’s regional offices—including one in Nairobi—have trained thousands of underserved young people through its LIFE program, which covers digital skills, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.
As Kenya continues its digital transformation journey, the message from the Londa report is clear: progress is being made, but without stronger protections for digital rights and meaningful access for all, that progress risks being undermined.