Kenyan authorities have been accused of employing a network of online trolls to intimidate young protesters during anti-government demonstrations, according to a report released by Amnesty International. The protests, which occurred in 2024 and 2025, were primarily organized by “Gen Z” activists utilizing social media to mobilize support.
The Amnesty report indicates that government agencies engaged in surveillance and spread disinformation targeting protest organizers. Young women and LGBTQ+ activists reportedly faced heightened harassment, including misogynistic comments and the distribution of AI-generated explicit images. An activist recounted receiving threats against herself and her child, raising concerns over the extent of intimidation tactics used.
Furthermore, the report describes a practice whereby individuals, described as “keyboard warriors,” are allegedly compensated to promote government narratives online. A former participant in this network claimed to have received payments between 25,000 and 50,000 Kenyan shillings (approximately $190-$390) per day to manipulate social media discourse and suppress protest-related hashtags. Among 31 young human rights defenders interviewed by Amnesty, nine reported receiving violent threats through various social media platforms.
The government’s response to the protests has been characterized by criticism, with rights groups asserting that more than 100 individuals lost their lives in confrontations with police during these demonstrations. Allegations of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances have also surfaced. While the government acknowledged instances of excessive force by police, officials maintained their defense of security measures in other situations.
The protests were driven by grievances over issues such as proposed tax increases, escalating femicide, and corruption. The case has raised questions regarding state-sponsored online harassment and unlawful surveillance, amid denials from Kenya’s largest telecom provider, Safaricom, regarding the use of mobile data for monitoring protest leaders. The BBC has sought further comments from the Kenyan government.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3vngv60l0qo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss