The Government of Kenya has come out strongly to dismiss widespread misinformation circulating on social media regarding the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2024, saying the claims are false, misleading, and intended to cause public fear.

The online uproar began after several bloggers and influencers alleged that the new amendments give the government power to monitor citizens’ phones, shut down websites, and jail people for expressing opinions online.

However, senior government officials say this is far from the truth.

Government Defends the Law

Speaking in Nairobi, Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo clarified that the Cybercrime Amendment Act does not introduce new offences aimed at silencing dissent, but rather strengthens existing laws to deal with modern digital crimes.

“Much of what is being shared online is either taken out of context or completely false. The amended law is about protecting Kenyans from cyber threats — not gagging free speech,” said Dr. Omollo.

He added that the government remains committed to upholding freedom of expression as guaranteed in the Constitution, but emphasized that freedom must be exercised responsibly, especially in the digital space.

What the Amendment Actually Does

The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2024 builds upon the original 2018 law.
It targets growing forms of online crime, including:

• Identity theft and SIM swapping
• Cyberbullying and online harassment
• Phishing and data theft
• Online content that promotes suicide or child exploitation

The amendments also empower the National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee (NC4) to coordinate investigations and issue take-down notices for websites hosting illegal or harmful content — such as child pornography or terrorist material.

Officials stressed that only a court of law can authorize the blocking or removal of online content, countering claims that the government will have unilateral power to censor the internet.