KHRC Issues Legal Warning to Telcos, Kenya Power Over Protest Disruptions
NAIROBI — The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has warned telecommunications firms and Kenya Power against interrupting services during public protests, citing a binding court order that bars any form of internet or electricity disruption during demonstrations.
The warning was issued Wednesday in a public statement ahead of planned protests calling for justice over police killings and increased state accountability. KHRC said any move to interfere with internet access or electricity supply would be in contempt of court and legally actionable.
“There is a standing court ruling that prohibits shutdowns, throttling, or downgrading of internet services during public protests,” the Commission stated.
The ruling referred to was delivered by Justice Bahati Mwamuye in response to a petition filed last year by the International Commission of Jurists (Kenya) and other parties. The case arose from the June 25, 2024, internet blackout that coincided with nationwide demonstrations against police brutality and government mismanagement.
The court concluded that cutting internet access during protests violates the constitutional rights to expression, information, and assembly.
The KHRC reiterated this position on Wednesday, stating: “Any action by telecommunications companies to restrict access through throttling, bandwidth reductions, or switching to 2G networks will be a direct violation of the court’s decision.”
The Commission also addressed Kenya Power directly, warning against deliberate electricity shutdowns in areas identified as protest hotspots. Similar reports surfaced during last year’s demonstrations, raising concerns over coordinated state interference.
“Switching off power in protest zones to suppress public dissent will prompt immediate legal action,” KHRC added.
Telecommunications providers and Kenya Power have not responded publicly to the statement. However, KHRC’s warning is expected to intensify scrutiny on how utility companies handle services during politically sensitive periods.
The statement follows growing fears that the state may use non-transparent tactics to block or limit protest visibility. Civil society groups have repeatedly raised alarms over the misuse of infrastructure control to undermine public dissent.
Legal analysts note that the High Court’s ruling provides a firm legal foundation for holding service providers accountable should disruptions occur again.
As protests loom, KHRC has reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring any violations and pursuing legal redress if public freedoms are obstructed through technical means.
