2 years after brutal protests & 1 year ahead of elections: online expression, media freedom, protesters, CSOs & opposition groups bear the brunt

General Update

This update covers the period August 2025 – June 2026

Between August 2025 and June 2026, Kenya’s civic space remained under significant strain, marked by persistent violations of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. The period was shaped by continued state responses to the aftermath of the 2024 and 2025 anti-government protests, during which security agencies were repeatedly accused of excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and intimidation of activists, journalists, and protest organisers. The civic space environment was further constrained by legal and regulatory developments, most notably the enactment of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, which expanded state powers over digital communication and drew widespread criticism from civil society for its potential to criminalise online dissent and restrict civic mobilisation. Human rights organisations observed that, rather than meaningful accountability for past abuses, the reporting period was characterised by sustained repression, increasing legal pressure on civic actors, and a deepening climate of fear that continued to shape public participation, digital expression, and collective action.

ASSOCIATION

VIOLATIONS AROUND ELECTIONS/POLITICAL GATHERINGS

According to the Human Rights Watch World Report 2026, released on 16th January 2026, the organisation documented a sustained pattern of post-election civic space pressure and protest deterrence measures across Kenya during the review period. The report noted that in the aftermath of heightened civic mobilisation in 2025, authorities increasingly relied on a combination of heavy police deployment at public gatherings, heightened surveillance of civic events, and the disruption of politically sensitive meetings, which contributed to a restrictive environment for peaceful assembly. It further highlighted continued arrests, summonses, and questioning of individuals linked to earlier protest activity or mobilisation networks, even where no new demonstrations were under way, reinforcing concerns about preventive policing strategies being used to discourage renewed civic engagement. Human Rights Watch observed that this approach reflected a broader shift from reactive crowd control to anticipatory deterrence of public assembly, creating a climate of fear and self-censorship among activists, organisers, and ordinary citizens seeking to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

Former deputy president’s political rallies and engagements repeatedly disrupted

Rigathi Gachagua’s political engagements have been repeatedly marred by disruptions since his falling out with the government and subsequent impeachment as Deputy President. In January 2026, his motorcade was reportedly teargassed in Sagana while on his way to a rally in Kirinyaga, while another church event in Othaya, Nyeri County was disrupted amid allegations of police interference and attacks by suspected hired groups. In July 2025, police blocked politicians allied to Gachagua from holding planned public meetings in Murang’a and Subukia using teargas and roadblocks. More recently, in April 2026, rallies organised by Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) in Kikuyu were dispersed by police officers using tear gas against crowds gathering for the event. Gachagua and his allies have consistently accused state agencies and politically sponsored groups of orchestrating the disruptions, while authorities have generally justified their actions on security grounds.

Opposition figure arrested during political activities

On 24th February 2026, political activist Booker Omole, a senior figure associated with the Communist Party of Kenya, was arrested in Isiolo County while reportedly engaging in political mobilisation activities. According to civil society accounts and media reporting, Omole was apprehended during a period of local political engagement and organisational outreach, with his arrest widely interpreted by rights groups as linked to his participation in lawful political organising and mobilisation activities. His detention triggered concern among civil society organisations, which argued that the arrest reflected a broader pattern of restrictive enforcement practices targeting opposition-linked actors and political organisers, particularly in contexts involving mobilisation outside formal political spaces. Human rights defenders and legal observers characterised the arrest as potentially politically motivated, raising concerns that security agencies were increasingly using public order and criminal law provisions to interfere with political organisation and discourage assembly-linked activity. The case was cited within broader civic space monitoring as an example of how political mobilisation, particularly by opposition or non-mainstream actors continued to face heightened scrutiny and enforcement pressure in Kenya during the 2026 period.

Opposition Senator attacked

On 9th April 2026, in Nairobi, Members of Parliament from Western Kenya condemned the attack on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and called for swift investigations and accountability. The legislators said Osotsi was assaulted by a group of armed men at a restaurant in Kisumu, after reportedly being trailed and confronted over his political stance. They described the incident as a politically motivated act of intimidation that left the senator hospitalised, and noted a growing pattern of political intolerance across the country.

County Assembly representative attacked

On 5th June 2026, in Kisii County, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i condemned the assault on Ichuni Ward MCA Wycliffe Siocha, who was attacked by unknown assailants in Kisii town. The attack, which is believed to have been politically motivated, left the MCA hospitalised. Matiang’i described the incident as an attack on democratic values and constitutional freedoms, calling for prompt investigations and the prosecution of those responsible while urging political leaders to reject violence and intimidation.

Violence in Homa Bay by-election

On 27th November 2025, during by-election activities in Homa Bay County, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) documented incidents of electoral-related violence, including the attack and injury of Hon. Peter Kaluma, Member of Parliament. The incident occurred in the context of political mobilisation activities and was part of a broader pattern of electoral violence affecting peaceful participation in campaign events. KNCHR raised concern that such attacks undermined citizens’ ability to freely participate in political assemblies and campaign-related gatherings, contributing to a climate of fear and intimidation during electoral processes.

Trade Union Chief makes controversial statement on banning political rallies

Separately, on 28 April 2026, in Nairobi, Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli called on President William Ruto to suspend political rallies across the country, citing rising political tensions and growing concerns over public disorder. Atwoli argued that the increasingly confrontational nature of political gatherings risked fuelling violence and instability, urging leaders to prioritise national cohesion and peaceful dialogue over partisan mobilisation.

MP freed in protest-related terrorism case

On 5th September 2025, in Nairobi, the Anti-Terrorism Court in Kahawa ordered the unconditional release of Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, journalist James Mbochi and boda boda rider Stanley Mbuthia after dismissing an application by prosecutors seeking to continue their detention over terrorism-related allegations. The court found that investigators had failed to conclude their inquiries or file charges nearly two months after the trio's arrest during the July 2025 Saba Saba protests. The court ordered the refund of their cash bail and the return of their belongings, while Mukunji and his lawyers described the case as a politically motivated attempt to intimidate government critics and suppress dissent.

CSO STAFF, HRDS, TARGETED WITH TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION

Authorites continued to target HRDs & CSOs and escalated the clampdown against Kenyan-based staff members of international civil society organisations, because of their work monitoring and documenting violations that followed the June 2024 and other subsequent protests. Transnational repression also continued to be an issue of concern as the state targets non-Kenyan CSO staff members based in the country, as well as individual HRDs from neighbouring countries present in the country.

HRW boss warns life in danger

In September 2025, Human Rights Watch Associate Director Otsieno Namwaya accused security operatives of surveillance and harassment and warned that his life was in danger. This came after officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations were seen surveilling and surrounding his house between 23rd and 25th August 2025, while taking pictures. Before this incident, government security officers had tried to locate and reach Namweya for months through people known to him, to no avail.

For more than 13 years, Namwaya has led Human Rights Watch’s work in Kenya, documenting human rights violations and advocating for accountability. His work has included investigating cases of excessive force and other abuses committed by Kenyan security agencies, particularly during protests. He has closely monitored and reported on violations linked to the 2024 and 2025 demonstrations, as well as the broader crackdown on human rights defenders and civic activists that continues in the country.

Kenya-based Zimbabwean OSF director deported from Nairobi

Similarly, in what has become a worrying trend, on 22nd February 2026, Brian Kagoro, a Zimbabwean human rights advocate, constitutional lawyer, and Africa Director at the Open Society Foundations, who is based in Kenya, was denied entry into the country upon arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. He was detained by officers from the National Intelligence Service for more than ten hours and questioned over allegations by Kenyan authorities that he had supported and coordinated protest activities in the country. Throughout his detention, he was denied access to legal counsel and was not allowed to communicate with his family, colleagues, or other supporters. On 15th June 2026, the High Court granted conservatory orders in favour of Kagoro, providing safeguards against any future arbitrary denial of entry while the Court considers a case challenging his detention and deportation.

These incidents follow increased scrutiny by Kenyan authorities of civic actors and alleged foreign involvement in protest movements, particularly after the 2024 nationwide demonstrations against the Finance Bill. As previously documented, in July 2025, Martin Mavenjina, a senior legal advisor to the Kenya Human Rights Commission, was unlawfully deported by the Kenyan government as he returned to Nairobi from an official visit to South Africa, despite holding valid work documentation permitting his stay and employment in Kenya.

Tanzanian activist abducted in Nairobi

On 22nd February 2026 Tanzanian human rights defender Mshabaha Mshabaha Hamza was abducted by three men in what appeared to be in efforts for a forceful rendition to Tanzania. Mshabaha, a prominent activist who advocates for democracy, including after the disputed 2025 elections and the violations that followed in Tanzania, resisted his attackers and was dumped by the roadside in Lukenya, Machakos County, drugged and injured. Police officers from the area responded swiftly and intercepted the vehicle used by his attackers, who were then arrested.

South Sudanese whistleblower abducted in Nairobi

On 9th June 2026, Athorbey Al-Gaddhaffy-Dit, a South Sudanese whistleblower was abducted in Kenya by armed, masked individuals and taken to South Sudan's capital Juba. According to reports, Athorbey, who also has Kenyan citizenship, had shared alleged high-level corruption in South Sudan with journalists and diplomats and believed he was being targeted by the country's government. South Sudan’s government spokesperson and Kenya’s Ministry of foreign affairs denied having any knowledge of the incident.

Kenyan activist abducted and deported from Tanzania now charged in Kenya

In late February 2026, seven months after his kidnapping in Tanzania and forcible return to Kenya in July 2025, online activist Mwabili Mwagodi was arrested and detained by police officers while travelling to Tanzania after he was informed by Kenyan immigration officials that a Red Notice had been placed on his passport. He was detained for three days before being presented in court and charged with publishing false information targeting government leadership through his X account. Notably, the Red Notice had been placed on his passport in January 2025, six months before his abduction and forced return, a strong indication that his forceful return was coordinated by the Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities. His July 2025 kidnapping was previously documented (See Tanzania page) on the CIVICUS Monitor.

Kenyan activists forcibly disappeared in Uganda

As previously documented (See Uganda page), on 1st October 2025, two Kenyan human rights defenders, Mr. Nicholas Oyoo and Mr. Bob Njagi, were subjected to enforced disappearance following their abduction in Kampala, Uganda, in a case widely condemned as part of escalating cross-border repression against East African civil society actors. According to human rights organisations, the two Kenyan activists linked to the Free Kenya Movement were abducted by armed individuals shortly after attending a political mobilisation event in Uganda and held incommunicado for over a month, with their whereabouts initially unknown and communication cut off immediately after their disappearance. Civil society groups, including Amnesty International and FIDH, reported concerns that the two were held in military-linked detention facilities under restrictive conditions, raising serious concerns over their safety and due process rights. The pair were eventually released on 8th November 2025, following diplomatic and regional pressure, and repatriated to Kenya the same day. The incident was widely viewed as a violation of the freedom of association, as it targeted human rights defenders engaged in legitimate civic and advocacy work, and highlighted growing risks of transnational repression against activists in the region.

Other violations on freedom of association:

Politically sponsored goons attack budget forum convened by CSOs and church

On 12th June 2026, suspected hired goons raided an event hosted by civil society at the All-saints Cathedral Church in Nairobi in a bid to disrupt the event. The meeting had been convened by civil society actors a day after the National Treasury presented the 2026/27 national budget and was intended to provide a platform for discussion on the budget's implications for citizens. The hired goons, who were reportedly hired by an unnamed government official, destroyed conference materials, assaulted and robbed participants. The Defenders Coalition expressed concern over what it described as persistent and coordinated attacks aimed at harassing and intimidating civil society organisations and human rights defenders (HRDs).

PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY

On 18th November 2025, Amnesty International released a report titled “This fear, everyone is feeling it: Tech-facilitated violence against young activists in Kenya”, documenting how digital tools had been systematically deployed to suppress Gen Z-led protests in Kenya. The report detailed how online harassment, coordinated disinformation, digital intimidation, and surveillance were used to disrupt mobilisation efforts and create fear among organisers. Amnesty concluded that these tactics had directly affected the exercise of peaceful assembly by undermining protest coordination and increasing risks for participants, both online and offline. The report highlighted the growing overlap between digital repression and restrictions on physical assembly.

Authorities block protests to commemorate two-year anniversary of deadly 2024 protests

On 25th June 2026, the day of planned protests to commemorate two years since the deadly June 2024 #RejectFinanceBill protests, Kenyans woke up to find roadblocks on all major highways around Nairobi erected by police overnight, blocking motorists, commuters and protesters from accessing the city. Parliament buildings remained barricaded and businesses were closed. Authorities had effectively blocked the protests.

Civil society accused the police of defying a 2025 High Court order which barred authorities from obstructing public roads without providing timely advance notice to allow the public to seek alternative routes. Concerns also mounted over the continued use of plainclothes officers, who hid their faces by wearing face masks, and hid vehicle identification numbers contrary to court orders issued in August 2024, as previously documented. A new police tactic noted was the use of high-end luxury cars by the plainclothes officers, in an apparent attempt to disguise themselves from protesters. Similarly, the deployment of sonic cannon to disperse protesters was documented for the first time.

While families of those killed during the 2024 protests were allowed to place flowers on barbed wire barricading the parliament, pockets of clashes between police and protesters were reported in Nairobi, with security forces firing tear gas and demonstrators throwing stones in some areas. At least 355 people were arrested, with more than 200 of them being released on cash bail the following day.

Four days after the day of the protests, on 29th June 2026, reports emerged that six people who had gone missing following the 25th June commemorative protests were found abandoned in different parts of Nairobi showing signs of torture and injury.

Notably, a day before the protests, on 24th June, the Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud declared the planned commemoration protests illegal, arguing that the police did not receive any formal notification about the protest.

That same day, police in Kajiado County arrested activist and Free Kenya Movement coordinator Bob Njagi in Kitengela on allegations of planning and inciting demonstrations ahead of the 25th June commemorations. Authorities accused Njagi of mobilising members of the public to participate in the memorial protests, after a video of him urging youth to take part in the planned protests began to circulate. Two days after his arrest, the court in Kajiado allowed the police to detain Njagi for one week and to examine his phone to complete their investigations into incitement.

The prevention of protests by the government comes amid sustained public discontent with the president and his government ahead of the 2027 general elections, with many accusing his government of failing to deliver on key campaign pledges and development targets.

As previously documented, in June 2024, mass demonstrations, largely led by Kenya’s youth, were held across the country in protest against a draconian finance Bill that proposed punitive taxes that would have seen sharp increases in the cost of living. Other grievances raised by protesters also included high unemployment rates, runaway corruption in government accompanied by flagrant opulence and extravagance publicly exhibited by state officials and their families, as well as ineptitude and incompetence of senior government officials. In June 2025, mass protests to commemorate 1 year since the 2024 protests, and to reiterate the 2024 demands also turned deadly after the government unleashed lethal force on protesters.

The deadly protests of 2024 and 2025 have been documented severally on the Monitor here, here, here and here.

Court sets free 50 protesters arrested during 2024 protests

On 21st April 2026, the Magistrates court in Ngong, Kajiado County acquitted a group of 50 protesters who had been charged in relation to the mass protests held on 24 June 2024 opposing the Finance Bill. The court found that the prosecution had failed to provide any witnesses to support the charges and also ordered that all cash bail previously deposited by the protesters be refunded.

CSOs & HRDs express caution over government’s protest compensation plan

On 15th June 2026, the Kenyan government announced that compensation payments for victims of protest-related human rights violations would begin within a week following the completion of a nationwide verification process. The programme, backed by a KSh2 billion allocation, is expected to provide reparations to victims and families affected by deaths, injuries, sexual violence, arrests and property destruction linked to demonstrations between 2017 and 2025.

On 17th June 2026, human rights defenders criticised the government's proposed KSh2 billion reparations programme for victims of protest-related human rights violations, arguing that compensation alone does not constitute justice. Rights advocates, including representatives of the International Commission of Jurists Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission, warned that compensating victims without identifying and prosecuting those responsible for abuses risks diverting attention from accountability for state violence.

In a similar vein, former Chief Justice David Maraga criticised proposals to compensate victims of police brutality without holding those responsible to account. He argued that while compensation was necessary, it cannot substitute for justice. Maraga called for thorough investigations and prosecution of officers implicated in abuses, warning that compensation without accountability risks perpetuating impunity and undermining public confidence in the rule of law. He also questioned why the compensation framework and process was being overseen by executive officials instead of the courts.

Ebola facility protests

On 1st June 2026, hundreds of protesters in Nanyuki town gathered to demonstrate against plans by the governments of Kenya and the USA to set up an Ebola quarantine centre for United States citizens exposed to the virus at Laikipia Air Base nearby. The protests came two days after Kenya’s High Court suspended the establishment of the facility and the arrival of any foreign patients. The protests, which started off peacefully, turned chaotic after protesters clashed with police, leaving at least two people killed and dozens arrested. On 5th June, thirty-one detained protesters were released on cash bail of Ksh.10,000 (USD 77) each, after being charged with unlawful obstruction of motor vehicles. The proposed facility would receive US citizens exposed to Ebola while abroad instead of flying them back to the US. More protests were held on 9th June where hooded policemen shot dead one protester and arrested 19 others in Nanyuki town.

Fuel price-hike protests

On 17th April 2026, the Nairobi regional commander Issa Mahmud warned that protests against fuel price hikes scheduled for 21st April 2026 would be considered illegal because the police were yet to be notified. The protests had been planned in opposition to sharp fuel price hikes introduced by the regulatory authority on 14th April 2026.

Opposition to the price hikes continued into the following month. On 18th May 2026, public transport service operators went on strike to protest the fuel price increases, withdrawing their vehicles from operations and bringing many parts of the country to a standstill. That day, protests were reported in several parts of the country, with reports indicating that four people were killed, more than 30 injured and more than 700 people were arrested across the country. The following day, Kenyans woke up to news that Dishon Angoya, officer in Charge of Nairobi’s Central Police Station, had been arrested and detained the previous night after he released detained protesters held at Nairobi's Central police station.

Embu hospital protests

On 14th April 2026, three people were killed at Ishiara Market in Mbeere North following a confrontation between police and residents protesting the declining state of services at Ishiara Level Four Hospital. The demonstrators, who had taken to the streets to demand better healthcare, said the facility had been crippled by persistent drug shortages, lack of critical services and poor infrastructure, forcing many patients to seek treatment far from home.

Protests against gold mining

On 6th April 2026, at least two people were shot dead by police officers in Gem–Ramula, Siaya County, after residents staged a protest over an alleged forced eviction they linked to Shanta Gold Kenya Limited. The protest was rooted in longstanding tensions over gold mining by the company which would see residents forcefully evicted from their ancestral lands.

Gaza solidarity protests

On 24th August 2025, protesters in Nairobi, including cyclists, motorcyclists and other solidarity activists, took to the streets to call for an end to the ongoing violence in Gaza and to express support for Palestinians affected by the conflict. The demonstrators criticised what they viewed as the failure of the international community to take meaningful action to protect civilians or ensure accountability for alleged violations of international law. They also highlighted the high number of journalists killed while reporting from Gaza, stressing the importance of protecting media workers and defending the public's right to information during times of conflict. Protest organisers pledged to continue their advocacy efforts and public demonstrations to increase pressure for an end to the violence and greater international engagement in addressing the humanitarian crisis.

EXPRESSION

AUTHORITIES REIGN IN ON ONLINE EXPRESSION & DIGITAL RIGHTS

Concerns over new state agency set to regulate digital space

On 22nd June 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya's Parliament approved the establishment of the National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA), a new state body tasked with coordinating national cybersecurity efforts and protecting critical digital infrastructure. The agency will oversee the implementation of cybersecurity strategies, manage responses to cyber incidents, audit the resilience of critical information systems and strengthen cooperation between government agencies, the private sector and international partners. While authorities said the move was prompted by growing cyber threats targeting public institutions, businesses and digital services as Kenya's economy becomes increasingly reliant on digital technologies, critics expressed concerns around the agency’s seemingly wide mandate, and also about the timing of its establishment, as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections at a time when online critism is facing heavy crackdown.

Concerns over county government’s crackdown on online expression

On 11th June 2026, it was reported that Murang'a County had embarked on a crackdown on local bloggers and independent journalists in the county. Several online activists, bloggers, and independent journalists reported receiving police summonses, with others being detained for extensive questioning regarding their social media posts critical of the county government and its officials. Murang'a County Security and Intelligence Committee justified the crackdown as necessary to allegedly curb misinformation and protect public order.

MPs reject Bill to ban TikTok, but call for tougher regulation

In February 2026, Kenya’s National Assembly considered a petition calling for tighter regulation of TikTok and other social media platforms. While lawmakers rejected calls for an outright ban, recognising that such a measure could undermine fundamental rights and limit opportunities within the country’s growing digital economy, they endorsed stronger regulatory oversight and compliance monitoring of social media companies operating in Kenya. As part of this process, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy were directed to report back within four months on proposals to strengthen age-verification systems, introduce data localisation requirements, and expand digital literacy programmes focused on online safety, privacy, and responsible use. Parliament also instructed the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner to engage social media companies and assess their compliance with Kenya’s Data Protection Act, 2019. In addition, lawmakers called for closer scrutiny of TikTok’s content moderation systems to ensure they are responsive to Kenyan languages and local contexts.

Google rejects 61% Kenyan government censorship asks

In February 2026, new data revealed that Google had declined a majority of content takedown requests submitted by Kenyan authorities, rejecting about 62 per cent of the items flagged over a six-month period ending in June 2025. The requests, routed mainly through the Communications Authority of Kenya, were linked to concerns such as national security, defamation, impersonation, and hate speech, often involving YouTube content and search results. While the government argued that such removals were necessary to protect public order and enforce local law, Google maintained that many of the requests lacked sufficient legal grounding or failed to meet its internal and international standards for content removal.

Concerns over proposal to establish digital policing unit

In early January 2026, CSOs expressed concerns over the government’s proposal to establish a digital intelligence unit to monitor online activity. This came after a report tabled in parliament by the president showed that the state was working on legal and operational frameworks for digital policing. In 2025, the CIVICUS Monitor documented, the National Assembly’s proposal to increase the Directorate of Criminal Investigation’s budgetary allocation to facilitate the procurement and servicing of a system with the potential to track social media users in the country.

Government issues ultimatum to social media companies

On 13th May 2026, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo, directed major social media companies, including X, TikTok and Meta, to establish physical offices in Kenya within three months or risk losing authorisation to operate in the country. The directive would also give the Communications Authority of Kenya expanded powers to suspend platforms that fail to comply.

The government justified the move as necessary to strengthen oversight of online platforms, arguing that local offices would enable authorities to respond more effectively to complaints, enforce Kenyan laws, and address growing concerns around cyberbullying, deepfakes, and the spread of sexually explicit content online. Officials also presented the directive as a measure aimed at protecting children in digital spaces.

However, civil society organisations have raised concerns about the potential implications for freedom of expression and digital rights. They warn that requiring companies to maintain a local presence could expose employees and assets within Kenya to direct pressure from authorities, making it easier for the government to demand content removals, enforce compliance orders, or hold local staff personally liable. The timing of the directive has also prompted concerns about its broader intent, particularly as Kenya approaches the 2027 general elections. Critics fear that, in a context of growing public dissatisfaction with the government, such measures could be used to restrict online dissent and limit civic and political expression.

In 2023, TikTok was subjected to similar regulatory pressure, eventually agreeing to open a Nairobi office after parliamentary threats of an outright ban.

Concerns over spyware detected in detained journalists’ phones

In September 2025, serious concerns about digital surveillance and press freedom emerged in Kenya after forensic investigators from Citizen Lab found that commercial spyware had been installed on the phones of two filmmakers while the devices were in police custody. The phones belonged to two of four Nairobi-based filmmakers who had been arrested in May 2025, as previously documented, over allegations linking them to the BBC documentary Blood Parliament, which examined the killing of protesters during the 2024 anti-government demonstrations. Although the filmmakers were released without charge, their devices remained in police custody for more than two months.

CPJ Program Director Angela Quintal said:

“The installation of spyware on Kenyan filmmakers’ devices while in police custody is outrageous and must be explained by authorities without delay... forensic analysis shows that journalists’ devices are not safe in the hands of Kenyan law enforcement agencies, which is alarming and further stains the country’s once-lauded reputation for press freedom.”

CYBERCRIME LAW: A PERSISTENT TOOL FOR REPRESSION

The cybercrime law continued to be used to silent dissent, targeting journalists, bloggers, and online activists, among others. Draconian amendments which expanded state control over digital spaces sparked quick legal action by activists. While the courts continued to largely safeguard digital rights through positive rulings, the law continued to be used against those critical of government online, as discussed in this section.

Cyber Crime Law Amendments passed

On 8th October 2025, freedom of online expression came under renewed threat when the National Assembly passed the contentious Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, later assented to by President William Ruto on 15th October 2025. The law introduced expanded state powers over digital spaces, including provisions allowing courts to authorise the blocking or removal of online platforms and significantly harsher penalties for broadly defined cyber harassment offences, including fines of up to KSh20 million (USD 153,455) or 10 years’ imprisonment. Rights groups warned that the vague and expansive language of the amendments risked criminalising legitimate online criticism and creating a chilling effect on digital expression.

The legislation triggered swift legal opposition. On 22nd October 2025, the High Court issued conservatory orders suspending key provisions of Section 27 after a constitutional petition filed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission and other petitioners argued that the amendments violated constitutional protections for freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information.

Positive ruling against Cybercrime law

On 6th March 2026, Kenya’s Court of Appeal delivered a landmark judgment in Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) v Attorney General, partially invalidating key provisions of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018 that had long been criticised for restricting digital expression. The court declared Sections 22 and 23 of the Act unconstitutional, finding that the provisions criminalising the publication of “false, misleading, or fictitious information” were overly broad, vague, and disproportionate, and posed a serious risk of arbitrary enforcement against lawful online expression. In its ruling, the Court observed that the provisions were so expansive that they could criminalise satire, opinion, journalistic inaccuracies, and even individuals who unknowingly shared disputed information online. The judgment was widely welcomed by digital rights organisations, journalists’ associations, and civil society actors as a significant victory for freedom of expression and media freedom in Kenya.

However, the Court upheld Section 27, which criminalises cyber harassment, ruling that petitioners had not sufficiently demonstrated its unconstitutionality. This aspect of the judgment drew concern from press freedom advocates, who noted that the provision has repeatedly been used to prosecute journalists, bloggers, and activists.

The ruling therefore represented a partial victory: while it removed the state’s ability to prosecute individuals for “false publication” under Sections 22 and 23, it preserved one of the law’s most frequently invoked provisions against online expression.

Court dismisses cyber crime law charge, mobile operator in the spotlight, again, for aiding surveillance

In mid February 2026, a court in Nairobi acquitted David Mokaya, a university student, who had been charged with publishing a misleading image of President William Ruto on the social media platform X. Mokaya had been charged with allegedly sharing an image of a funeral procession in reference to President William Ruto, in an alleged post dated 13th November 2024.

The court cited glaring gaps in the evidence presented and also criticised the handling of digital evidence. Devices seized from Mokaya, the court observed, were examined without a valid court order, violating constitutional safeguards. Kenya’s giant telco, Safaricom, also came under scrutiny for alleged disclosure of Mokaya’s location data and personal information to investigators without a court order. This was after a police officer attached to the serious crimes unit of the DCI admitted in court that Safaricom had provided them with details of Mokaya.

As previously documented, Safaricom has been facing legal proceedings by civil society for its alleged role in facilitating state sanctioned violations against government critics and protesters by enabling surveillance and location tracking by security operatives without court orders.

Activist detained on publishing false information

In late February 2026, seven months after his kidnapping in Tanzania and forcible return to Kenya in July 2025, online activist Mwabili Mwagodi was charged with publishing false information under the Cybercrime Act after he was arrested while travelling to Tanzania. He is accused of publishing false, malicious, misleading and derogatory content targeting government leadership through his X account, between 2nd and 8th January 2025. (See more in association section above)

Atheists’ leader detained and charged for social media posts

On 5th January 2026, the Atheists in Kenya founder Harrison Mumia was charged with false publication under the Cybercrime Act after allegedly posting images falsely portraying president William Ruto as deceased, an act authorities argue was intended to mislead the public and potentially incite fear or unrest. Mumia had been detained for four days prior to his arraignment, raising concerns about his lengthy stay in custody. He was released on cash bail pending full hearing of the case.

Journalist charged under Cybercrime Act

On 31st December 2025, journalist Peter Maseke Mwita was arrested in Mombasa following a police summons linked to information he had shared on WhatsApp concerning alleged criminal gangs in Kisauni. Authorities detained him under provisions of Kenya’s cybercrime legal framework, with later court proceedings indicating the application of Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018, rather than the amended 2025 Act. He was held for several days while investigations continued, with the Media Council of Kenya condemning the arrest as an attempt to intimidate journalists and restrict reporting on matters of public interest. On 25th February 2026, Mwita appeared before a court in Mombasa where he was formally charged and pleaded not guilty before being released on a personal bond of KSh500,000 (approximately US$3,879), with three additional sureties collectively guaranteeing KSh600,000 (approximately US$4,655). The case raised renewed concerns over the continued use of cybercrime provisions to criminalise journalistic work and suppress reporting on matters of public interest.

MEDIA OUTLETS FACE REPRISALS THROUGH ALTERNATIVE CENSORSHIP TACTICS

As the state increasingly targets freedom of expression online, the government employed other more insidious tactics offline aimed at crippling media outlets and frustrating their ability to operate and do their work, as documented in the section below. This was especially evident for independent outlets which have been critical of government excesses, as has been the case with the Standard Media Group.

President Ruto launches scathing online attacks against Standard Media Group

On 24th June 2026, President William Ruto publicly criticised the Standard Group, accusing the media house of spreading “extortionist propaganda” and attempting to blackmail his administration through its critical reporting. In a strongly worded message posted on X, the president told the outlet to “do your worst.” The remarks came after months of investigative reporting by the Standard on governance, public spending, graft allegations against government officials and unmet campaign pledges. Just days earlier, the media house had aired a television feature titled The Gallery of Ruto’s Lies, highlighting unfulfilled campaign pledges, delayed infrastructure projects and the lived frustrations of citizens, who continue to wait for meaningful improvements in their daily lives while the government reports a poor development track record.

In a striking turn, the president also accused the Standard Group of failing to pay its employees, even as the media house continues to grapple with the government's failure to settle approximately KES 1.2 billion (Approx USD 9.27 million) in outstanding fees, funds that the outlet says are critical to sustaining its operations and safeguarding the livelihoods of its workers. Responding to the president's remarks, Standard Group CEO Chacha Mwita defended the indispensable role of independent journalism in a democratic society, stressing that the media exists to hold power to account. He argued that it was the Standard Group, rather than the government, that had been subjected to the said blackmail through the prolonged withholding of payments owed to it.

MPs refuse to pay outstanding fees to media houses

In April 2026, concerns grew over the Kenyan government's continued failure and apparent refusal to settle more than KSh 826 million (USD 6,337,675) owed to several media houses for services already rendered, after the National Assembly's Budget and Appropriations Committee rejected a Treasury proposal to clear the outstanding bills. The decision came despite significant increases in budget allocations to the Executive, including State House and the Office of the President.

Ironically, the refusal to pay these arrears comes against the backdrop of threats and revocations of media licences for nonpayment of licence fees and licences owed to government, as media outlets continue to face regulatory action for their own outstanding obligations to the state. In late March 2026, six stations owned by Standard Media Group had their licences revoked by the Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal over unpaid arrears of Ksh 48.87 million owed to the regulator in annual licence fees and levies.

Media stakeholders and press freedom advocates warned that withholding payments from news organisations, while simultaneously threatening some with regulatory sanctions, could further weaken an already struggling media sector. They argued that the delayed payments undermine the financial sustainability and independence of media houses, raising concerns about the broader implications for media freedom, accountability, and the public's right to access diverse and independent information.

Standard Group’s Journalist faces attempted abduction

Just days after President Ruto’s public critism of the Standard group online (see above), on 27th June 2026, four armed men intercepted Alex Kiprotich, the Standard Group Associate Editor in Nakuru, in an attempted abduction, but he managed to escape unharmed. According to the outlet, independent investigations revealed that detectives from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau based in Nakuru Country were behind the attempted abduction.

Standard group’s Journalists blocked from covering president's event

On 7th May 2026, journalists from Standard Media Group were prevented from covering President William Ruto’s Second National Education Conference at Lake Naivasha Resort in Naivasha, Kenya, after a State House communications official accused the media house of reporting negatively on the government. Despite arriving alongside reporters from other outlets for accreditation, the journalists were singled out and denied access to the public event. The incident sparked concern among media and civil society groups, who viewed it as an attempt to punish critical journalism and restrict independent reporting. Press freedom advocates, including the Kenya Editors Guild, warned that excluding journalists from public events because of their editorial coverage undermines media freedom, accountability, and the public’s right to information.

Standard Media Group journalist arrested

On 20th September 2025, Standard Media Group journalist Collins Kweyu was arrested and detained after investigating allegations that a judge based in Migori County had received a KSh 10 million bribe in connection with a land dispute case. He was held overnight before being released on free bond with a requirement to appear before the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Migori country, 372 kilometres from Nairobi, where the complaint was made. The police kept his phone which they had confiscated.

Other violations of the freedom of expression documented during this period were as follows:

International luxury hotel in the spotlight for gagging environmental defender

In mid August 2025, Meitamei Olol Dapash of the Institute for Maasai Education, Research and Conservation (MERC) filed a case before Kenya’s Environment and Land Court in Narok seeking to halt the opening of a luxury lodge developed by Ritz-Carlton, Marriott International, Lazizi Mara Limited and relevant government authorities. The petition argued that the proposed development is located along a critical wildlife migration corridor, and that the project proceeded without adequate environmental safeguards, including a publicly available environmental impact assessment. Shortly after the case gained public attention however, Dapash announced that a temporary gag order had been issued restricting him from discussing certain matters related to this case, and in December 2025, he applied to withdraw the case. No explanation for the withdrawal was provided.

CSOs release separate reports on the state of Freedom of Expression in Kenya

Several CSOs released reports during this period, detailing the situation of the freedom of expression in Kenya:

On 18th November 2025, Amnesty International released a report titled “This fear, everyone is feeling it: Tech-facilitated violence against young activists in Kenya”, documenting how Kenyan authorities and allied actors allegedly used digital tools and coordinated online campaigns to suppress Gen Z-led protests. The report found that social media platforms were weaponised through online harassment, intimidation, smear campaigns, targeted disinformation, and coordinated trolling networks, all aimed at silencing activists and undermining protest mobilisation. It also highlighted the blurring of online and offline repression, where digital targeting contributed to real-world harms such as surveillance, arrests, enforced disappearances, and killings, creating a climate of fear that significantly restricted freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Kenya.

On 12th December 2025, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) released its State of Human Rights in Kenya (December 2024–December 2025) report. The Chairperson of the commission highlighted serious human rights concerns in the report regarding freedom of expression and media freedom. The Commission noted a surge in violations against journalists and media practitioners during 2025, including assaults, threats, denial of access, destruction of equipment, and temporary shutdowns of media operations during protests and major state events. Journalists covering demonstrations and national celebrations in areas such as Nairobi, Nyeri, Molo, Majengo, and Homa Bay were reportedly subjected to violence and intimidation by both security officers and hostile groups. The KNCHR further raised concern over the enactment of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, despite significant constitutional and human rights objections from stakeholders, noting that the law falls short of the principles of legality, clarity, and proportionality, and risks enabling arbitrary enforcement that could chill freedom of expression and digital innovation. The Commission called for investigations and accountability for attacks against journalists, an end to harassment and obstruction of media workers, restraint by regulatory authorities in actions that infringe media and digital freedoms, and a comprehensive review of the Act to align it with constitutional guarantees under Articles 33, 34, and 35 of the Constitution of Kenya.

On 16th January 2026, Human Rights Watch released its World Report 2026, documenting continued concerns over civic space in Kenya, including heightened surveillance of online activists, intimidation of bloggers and digital commentators, and growing restrictions on freedom of expression in the aftermath of the June–July 2025 anti-government protests.

On 19th March 2026, the Media Council of Kenya released its State of Media Freedom in Kenya 2026 report, raising serious concerns over the deteriorating freedom of expression environment and increasing legal pressure on journalists and digital communicators. The report documented a significant rise in threats to press freedom during the preceding year, including arbitrary arrests, intimidation, cybercrime-related prosecutions, obstruction of journalists, digital harassment, and growing regulatory pressure on independent media practitioners. Of particular concern was the report’s finding that the continued application of provisions under Kenya’s cybercrime legal framework had fostered a climate of heightened self-censorship among journalists, bloggers, and digital creators, many of whom feared arrest, prolonged investigations, or costly legal proceedings for reporting on politically sensitive issues.

The report specifically warned that the use of cybercrime provisions to pursue journalists had transformed laws intended to address legitimate digital security threats into instruments capable of constraining public-interest reporting and online expression. It noted that recent cases, including the prosecution of journalist Peter Maseke Mwita, reflected a broader trend in which criminal sanctions were increasingly being applied to journalistic communication. The findings reinforced concerns raised by domestic and international press freedom groups that Kenya’s digital civic space was narrowing, with legal uncertainty and selective enforcement undermining constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression, media independence, and access to information.