Amidst massive protests in Kenya over the controversial Finance Bill 2024, users are reporting internet disruptions.
The disruptions have further been confirmed by internet watchdog NetBlocks in a statement issued this afternoon.
”Live network data show a major disruption to internet connectivity in Kenya; the incident comes amidst a deadly crackdown by the police on #RejectFinanceBill2024 protesters a day after authorities claimed there would be no internet shutdown” the statement reads.
These developments come despite the Communication Authority (CA) issuing a statement saying it had no intention to shut down internet traffic or interfere with the quality of connectivity.
CA said in a statement issued on Monday ”Such actions would be a betrayal of the constitution as a whole, the freedom of expression in particular and our own ethos” a statement by CA Director General and CEO, David Mugonyi reads.
Several international and local organisations had also on Monday raised concerns about the possibility of an internet shutdown by the government.
The organisations said shutting down or throttling the internet would be a gross violation of fundamental human rights.
‘’It will undermine the legitimate rights of people to organize, demonstrate and participate in policy-making processes,’’ the statement signed by Twenty-seven organisations, Kenyan associations of content creators, lawyers, medical officers and human rights defenders reads.
These organisations included Access Now, Amnesty International Kenya, Article 19 Eastern Africa, the Law Society of Kenya, The Police Reforms Working Group, the Bloggers Association of Kenya, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, and the Kenya Medical Association.
The Finance Bill 2024 proposed by the Kenyan Government in the 2024/25 tax year is planned to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes to reduce the budget deficit and state borrowing. This has met with nationwide citizen protests.
…developing story
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