NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 22 – Renowned gospel musician Reuben Kigame and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) have filed a petition at the High Court seeking to nullify the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2024, arguing that it grants the state sweeping powers to monitor, silence, and endanger citizens critical of the government.
According to the petition, the law’s “vague and overbroad” provisions give the regime the authority to define what constitutes truth and to punish dissent.
President William Ruto signed the contentious law on October 15, 2025, despite mounting opposition and warnings that it could entrench state surveillance and repression.
Read also:Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga Resigns as CoG Vice Chair Amid Outrage Over Raila Remarks
The law requires all social media users to verify their accounts using government-issued identification — a move the petitioners say paves the way for profiling, intimidation, and the erosion of online privacy.
“The mandatory verification requirement constitutes a blanket infringement of the right to privacy under Article 31 of the Constitution,” the petition reads. “It forces the unnecessary revelation of private affairs and directly infringes upon the privacy of communications.”
Kigame and KHRC warn that the law effectively bans online anonymity, long considered a crucial protection for whistleblowers, journalists, and victims of state abuse.
They further argue that compelling digital platforms to swiftly remove posts flagged as offensive will foster pre-emptive censorship, silencing debate before it begins.
“This law criminalizes speech based on speculation,” the petition states. “It targets communication that the state claims could hypothetically cause harm, without any demonstrable link between expression and outcome.”
The petitioners also contend that the Bill was passed unconstitutionally since it was never referred to or debated by the Senate, despite touching on functions that fall within the jurisdiction of county governments.
