This archive report was first published on 27 September 2019.
Kenya Proposes Bill to Fine Bloggers and WhatsApp Group Administrators ¶
Published on September 27, 2019
Malava MP Moses Malulu Injendi has sponsored a bill that seeks to amend the Kenya Information and Communication Act, requiring all bloggers and WhatsApp group administrators in Kenya to register with the Communications Authority.
According to the proposed bill, bloggers will need to apply for a license from the Communications Authority, and failure to do so will attract a fine of Ksh. 200,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year.
The bill defines a blogger as any person who collects, writes, edits, and presents news or news articles on social media platforms or the internet.
The proposed law has been met with criticism from the public, who see it as a retrogressive law that limits the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution, including the freedom of expression and association.
Under the proposed law, bloggers and WhatsApp group administrators will be required to have a physical office in the country, register all users of their social media platforms using legal documents, and keep all data of users of their platforms.
