The Authority’s Director General David Mugonyi revealed that as a result, various government agencies reached out to the Authority seeking assistance in taking down social media channels and forums
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) reportedly wrote to all mobile network operators to suspend the operations of Telegram messenger in the country on October 31. Currently, the matter has left scores of Kenyans complaining that they could not access the app due to intermittent outages.
In the letter directed to internet providers circulated across social media platforms and seen by Viral Tea, CAK took note that the popular social media platform was being misused to perpetrate criminal activities, including compromising the integrity of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, which kicked off on Monday, November 4.
The Authority revealed that as a result, various government agencies reached out to the Authority seeking assistance in taking down social media channels and forums, including Telegram, that have been accused of interfering with the integrity of the national examinations.
“Whereas all other social media platforms operating in Kenya have taken steps to address misuse of their platforms, we note with dismay that Telegram Inc. has remained non-responsive and continues to host offending forums and channels in blatant breach of the laws of the land and the general principles of Data Protection and Privacy,” the letter read in part.
Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) headquarters in Nairobi. /FILE
“By this letter, all Mobile Network Operators are hereby directed to use all available mechanisms to suspend the operation of Telegram Inc in the country particularly during the administration of the KCSE Examinations between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. in the morning and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon from Monday to Friday up to until November 22nd, 2024.”
Whether it is the loading of images or access to chats and groups, tens of Telegram users in the country have struggled to interact with the messaging app. The government’s letter to the operators means that some of the app’s key functions are currently unavailable.
According to an internet observatory, Netlocks, Telegram was restricted in Kenya with their data showing the app as being down across various internet providers.
Users across the country have reported receiving several error messages while trying to interact with the app, including a “Connecting” error when trying to access the Telegram desktop. For instance, trying to log in on the app via a browser could be met by the message “web.telegram.org took too long to respond”
Viral Tea had trouble sending and receiving messages as well as media both through its official Telegram channel and via other channels, though Downdetector.com, a website known for detecting service outages, showed few reports, meaning the issue was affecting Kenya only.
Telegram is the fifth most downloaded social media app in Kenya in 2024, after WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. However, despite its popularity, the app has had a controversial reputation, not only in Kenya but across the world. The recent detention of Telegram’s co-founder and CEO Pavel Durov near Paris over an investigation into alleged offences related to the messaging app also did little to help its deteriorating name.
Governments are wary of the app, which they suspect is being used to spread disinformation, spread extremism, and in Kenya, promote examination cheating. European countries are particularly critical of the app, with the likes of Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Norway, and Spain restricting or banning the messaging app altogether.
The restricting of Telegram in Kenya during KCSE exams is not a new case as this also happened in 2023. However, the CA’s letter to the telcos this year offered the clearest evidence related to why the app has been blocked in the country.
On its official channels, the platform has not acknowledged it is facing issues, a matter which has left netizens guessing with some rechecking with their Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to find out if the platform has been blocked within the country.
In response to the issue, many users turned to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to maintain their access to Telegram. VPNs are tools that create a secure tunnel for your internet connection, hiding your real IP address and replacing it with one from a different location. This allows users to bypass geo-restrictions and access content that may be blocked in their current location.
Economic Impact
The impact of blocking access to a major communication platform like Telegram is not merely a matter of inconvenience. According to a report by Top10VPN.com, Kenya potentially lost Ksh3.5 billion ($27 million) in economic activity during the 2023 exam period due to the 192-hour Telegram shutdown.
This estimated financial loss highlights the economic consequences of unannounced internet restrictions, particularly when they affect widely used platforms essential for both personal and professional communication.
Censorship
However, it is the absence of clear, legal guidelines on internet shutdowns and restrictions that have sparked opposition towards Kenya’s governance in the digital age. If platforms like Telegram can be blocked without a formal announcement or legal backing, it opens the door to arbitrary censorship and potential abuse of power.
At its core, this repeated blocking of Telegram in Kenya touches on critical issues related to digital rights and freedoms. Access to the internet is increasingly recognized as a fundamental right, and platforms like Telegram play a significant role in enabling free communication. By restricting access without due process, Kenyan authorities are infringing on citizens’ right to information and freedom of expression.
The right to privacy is also under threat. If authorities are indeed blocking Telegram to control information flow during exam periods, this signals a troubling precedent where digital platforms can be selectively restricted to serve state interests.
Such actions highlight the risk of government overreach, where restrictions are justified under vague concerns of “security” or “public interest” but lack transparency and legal grounding.
Students sitting for a past KCSE exam. /FILE