MWE Correspondent
Amnesty International has revealed that Kenyan authorities allegedly used digital tools and online networks to intimidate and suppress young activists, particularly members of [Generation Z], who led mass protests between 2024 and 2025.
The protests, which initially opposed a controversial [Finance Bill], quickly expanded to broader demands including action against gender-based violence and corruption.
The report outlines a coordinated campaign in which paid online operatives, described as “trolls,” harassed protesters, spread disinformation, and flooded social media platforms to drown out dissenting voices. Some of these operatives reportedly earned between 25,000 and 50,000 Kenyan shillings per day to post government-aligned messages and suppress protest narratives, particularly on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp. (X)
Several activists interviewed by Amnesty described receiving explicit death threats and intimidation targeting their families. In one case, a parent had to transfer their child to another school due to safety concerns.
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Beyond online harassment, the report also alleges that security forces used excessive force, resulting in over 100 deaths, arbitrary arrests, and disappearances.
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said the evidence points to “a widespread and coordinated campaign targeting young people online to silence their voices.” She added that such tactics undermine the fundamental rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and political participation.
The Kenyan government, through Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, has denied authorizing harassment or threats against citizens. Authorities acknowledged isolated incidents of excessive force, emphasizing that individuals responsible would face accountability.
The report also raises concerns about potential [surveillance] of protesters through mobile devices, a claim denied by major telecommunications providers in Kenya. Amnesty has called for independent investigations into both the online harassment campaigns and the real-world crackdown, urging the government to ensure the protection of all citizens exercising their democratic rights.
