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A group of 27 organisations have expressed concerns over the potential of possible internet and mass media disruptions during anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests.

In a statement on Monday, June 24, 2024, the 27 organisations and Kenyan associations of content creators, lawyers, medical officers and human rights defenders indicated that there is an elaborate scheme to limit social media reach and even media coverage.

The firms include Access Now, Amnesty International Kenya, Article 19 Eastern Africa, Law Society of Kenya, The Police Reforms Working Group, Bloggers Association of Kenya, Kenya Human Rights Commission and the Kenya Medical Association.

They argued that shutting down or throttling the internet, shadow-banning hashtags or a mass media ban on live reporting would be a gross violation of fundamental human rights.

They made it clear that the action would undermine the legitimate rights of people to organize, demonstrate and participate in policymaking processes.

“The internet and mass media are critical for the enjoyment of the public’s right to be informed, citizen’s self-expression, e-commerce and the digital economy that is responsible for close to 10 per cent of the GDP. Shutting down or throttling of the internet, shadow-banning hashtags or a mass media ban on live reporting would be a gross violation of fundamental human rights. It will undermine the legitimate rights of people to organize, demonstrate and participate in policymaking processes.

“#RejectFinanceBill2024 hashtag is not just a trending topic on social media. It symbolizes citizens’ organizing and important dialogue on the 2024 Finance Bill and its implications for our national economy and all our livelihoods,” the statement added.

Internet shutdown ramification

According to the organisations shutting the internet will have serious repercussions to the country as a whole. They indicated that blocking access would make it difficult for the government to communicate or make emergency responses.

Further, they made it clear that online transactions would be greatly affected by the potential shutdown of the internet during protests.

Government security operations would also be affected by the internet shutdown, the organisations stated.

“Disrupting mass communication will also increase national uncertainty, cut off the public and authorities from reliable updates, choke the timely deployment of emergency medical services and tracing of missing persons. Internet shutdowns also halt online transactions, slow down economic activity and cause economic harm. Internet and mass media disruptions severely restrict human rights monitoring and reporting of government security operations,” they explained.

“At this critical democratic juncture in Kenya, it is important that the Government of Kenya appreciates the crucial role of the internet and mass media in policy discourse and refrains from any form of internet shutdown or media interference. We call upon the Government of Kenya and the Communications Authority to affirm that the people of Kenya can access an open, reliable, secure and free internet and a free press at a time when they need it the most.”

Nationwide protests are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, over the Finance Bill 2024. Gen Z who are the main proponents of the protests want the Finance Bill rejected in its entirety.

On Sunday, June 23, 2024, President William Ruto vowed to engage the youth to understand their concerns.

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