CPJ Urges Kenyan President Not to Sign Into Law Cybercrimes Bill

Uhuru Kenyatta

Nairobi, May 10, 2018 -- The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta not to sign into law a cybercrimes bill that was recently passed by the National Assembly because it will stifle press freedom.

On April 26, 2018, the National Assembly approved the Computer and Cybercrimes Bill, 2017. The bill, among other provisions, criminalizes the publication of false news and stipulates hefty fines and lengthy prison terms for those found guilty of the offense, according to the Hansard, a verbatim published report of debates and proceedings in Kenya's Parliament.

"Kenyan legislators have passed a wide-ranging bill that will criminalize free speech, with journalists and bloggers likely to be among the first victims if it is signed into law," said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Angela Quintal in New York. "We urge President Kenyatta to refer it back to Parliament so that members can ensure that its provisions are constitutional and do not violate the right to media freedom and free expression."

Clause 12 of the bill provides for a five million Kenyan shilling (US$50,000) fine and/or up to two years in prison for publishing "false" or "fictitious" information. Another clause--introduced during the morning debate on April 26 by National Assembly majority leader Aden Duale--states that anyone found guilty of publishing false information that "is calculated or results in panic, chaos, or violence" or that is "likely to discredit the reputation of a person" is liable for a fine of five million Kenyan shillings and/or up to 10 years in prison, according to the Hansard.

Apollo Mboya, an advocate and former chief executive of the Law Society of Kenya, told CPJ that the provisions on false news would make it easy for authorities to "gag" journalists with whom they do not agree.

He added that the provisions introduced during the debate that punish speech harmful to the "reputation of a person" are similar to a criminal defamation law that was declared unconstitutional by Kenya's High Court in 2017.

Other provisions of the proposed law are also likely to undermine freedom of the press. Clauses in the bill that outlaw unauthorized access and sharing of government data do not allow for a public interest defense to protect whistle-blowers, as noted by Mboya and according to an analysis by global free speech organization Article 19.

State House spokesperson Manoah Esipisu on May 4 told CPJ that the presidency would consider reservations about the bill raised in public statements and/or letters addressed to Kenyatta.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)