A four-hour blackout of Telegram rocked Kenya in the early hours of Saba Saba Day, just as thousands prepared to take to the streets. The outage, confirmed by global internet watchdog Netblocks, raised alarms about possible efforts to silence communication during politically sensitive events.
From 4am to 8am on Monday, July 7, the popular messaging platform was inaccessible on multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs) across the country.
The timing was no coincidence—it struck just as protesters faced roadblocks, tear gas, and tightened police presence.
Social Media Outage Disrupts Digital Communication During Protest
The Telegram outage came at a critical moment. Kenyans were preparing for countrywide protests on Saba Saba Day—a date remembered for the fight for multiparty democracy. But instead of waking up to organize online, they found one of their most used messaging platforms unusable.
Netblocks confirmed the incident in a live update, stating, “Metrics show a 4-hour disruption to Telegram in Kenya this morning.” They added, “The incident follows a pattern of earlier restrictions and comes on the 35th anniversary of the Saba Saba protests calling for free elections.”
The observatory stopped short of directly accusing the government. However, its wording left no doubt: such outages tend to align with attempts to limit digital communication during tense political moments.
The blackout wasn’t isolated. Just days earlier, a similar disruption was reported during the June 25 protests, when Kenyans filled the streets to oppose unpopular government measures. “Confirmed: Live metrics show restrictions to the messaging platform Telegram in Kenya are now in effect,” Netblocks noted at the time.
These back-to-back disruptions hint at a worrying trend—one where authorities appear to be muting digital conversations during national unrest.
Public Left in the Dark
Telegram is more than a chat app for many Kenyans. It is used to organize protests, share safety updates, and post real-time news when mainstream media goes silent. Its sudden disappearance left many disoriented and isolated during a dangerous morning of confrontation.
Multiple users reported that messages weren’t delivering, groups failed to load, and channels went quiet. This digital silence added confusion to an already chaotic day.
“I was trying to check where police had set up barricades, but the app was just dead,” one Nairobi protester said. “It made everything more dangerous. We were walking blind.”
From Nairobi to Kisumu and Mombasa, reports of the outage were widespread. While other apps like WhatsApp and Twitter remained operational, many organizers rely on Telegram for its encryption and wide broadcast reach.
The disruption forced people to fall back on riskier in-person communication, which exposed them to police crackdowns. Videos shared later showed officers engaging in running battles with protesters, deploying teargas in residential areas, and arresting dozens.
Growing Fears of Internet Shutdowns
The outage also reignited fears that the government could take more drastic measures—like a total internet blackout.
Over the last decade, countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia, and Sudan have pulled the plug on internet services during protests and elections. Kenyans worry they could be next.
“This is how it starts,” said a tech rights advocate. “You block one app today, and tomorrow you shut down the whole internet.”
Civil society groups have already raised red flags. They argue that digital rights are being trampled in the name of law and order. Blocking apps without public notice or legal backing violates both freedom of expression and access to information.
While the government has not claimed responsibility for the Telegram outage, its silence has only added to suspicion. No agency has explained why the app failed, nor has any official acknowledged the disruption.
Police Threats and Protest Warnings Add Fuel to the Fire
Tensions were already high ahead of Saba Saba Day. On Sunday, July 6, the National Police Service (NPS) released a warning, declaring that protesters caught with weapons would face legal consequences.
“Any individuals intending to breach protected areas or incite violence will be dealt with firmly,” the statement read.
The warning followed ugly scenes from previous protests where looters targeted shops in Nairobi and other towns. In response, police deployed heavily across major roads, business districts, and government buildings. Roadblocks, ID checks, and arbitrary arrests were reported by morning commuters.
At the same time, police told the public not to provoke officers who were carrying out “lawful duties.” But the combination of tight policing, app outages, and growing unrest painted a picture of a country struggling to balance security with civil liberties.
As more protests loom on the horizon, Kenyans are left wondering: Will their voices be silenced not just by bullets and batons—but by invisible hands cutting their digital lifelines?
