Boniface Mwangi backs petition against Cybercrimes law
By Joel Masibo, October 22, 2025Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi Mwangi has backed the petition filed by Reuben Kigame and the Kenya Human Rights Commission, seeking to block the implementation of the Cybercrimes Amendment Bill, signed into law by President William Ruto on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
The new law introduces changes meant to address emerging threats, such as cyber fraud, digital terrorism, identity theft, and harmful online content, positioning Kenya among African nations that are taking a firm stand against the misuse of technology.
Elsewhere, Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy, Dennis Itumbi, has defended the bill, dismissing claims that it is a new law.
However, the particular law has attracted public outrage, with a section of Kenyans accusing the Head of State of taking advantage of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s mourning period to sneak in the particular controversial bill.
“Immediately after Raila died, Ruto signed the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2024, into law on October 15, 2025. Ruto’s regime, which has a habit of abducting and killing young people, wants to start jailing people for memes and TikTok videos.”
“Journalists and whistleblowers can now be accused of cyber harassment and spreading false information and face jail time. Thank you, Reuben Kigame, Kenya Human Rights Commission, for taking a stand and filing a case to challenge this unlawful and regressive new law,” Mwangi took to X on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
Petition filed
In his statement on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Reuben Kigame confirmed that the two parties are contesting in court against the recently signed bill into law by the Head of State.
“On behalf of the great people of Kenya, the Kenya Human Rights Commission and I have filed a petition in the High Court under Certificate of Urgency, challenging the recently signed Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Bill, hurriedly and secretly signed by the President into law on 15/10/2025,” Kigame took to X.
According to Reuben Kigame and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), the signed law contravenes the Constitution and undermines and dilutes the carefully established provisions of the Data Protection Act.
“The impugned amendment introduces provisions that are unconstitutional and create a direct conflict with the Data Protection Act (DPA),” the petitioner states.
“The Criminalisation of ‘False, Misleading, and Mischievous’ Information: This vague and overbroad offence chills freedom of expression and lacks the precision required by law,” the petitioners add.