What You Need to Know
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) has confirmed that there will be no censorship of freedom of expression as the country approaches its general elections. CAK chairperson Charles Karondo emphasized the importance of democratic communication while addressing concerns about misinformation and incitement online, stating that the authority will uphold legal standards without suppressing free
Africa-Press – Kenya. The government will not censor Kenyans’ freedom of expression as the country heads to the next general elections, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) has assured.
CAK chairperson Charles Karondo said that, unlike some neighbouring states, Kenya will allow its citizens to communicate freely within the law during the electoral period.
He acknowledged concerns about misinformation and incitement online, but stressed that the regulator has no intention of restricting democratic communication.
“As a commission, we have no intention of taking such action because Kenya is a democracy and we are not here to censor the freedom of speech of any Kenyan,” Karondo said, adding that CAK will uphold legal bounds while protecting open communication.
Karondo emphasised that while the authority is keen to guard against misinformation, its role is not to suppress voices.
He, however, pointed out that CAK has engaged other state agencies, including the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), to ensure accountability for all forms of communication and that the right laws are in place to address harmful content without curtailing legitimate expression.
The assurance comes against a backdrop of recent moves by authorities in parts of East Africa to limit online communication during elections.
In Uganda’s January 2026 general elections, the Uganda Communications Commission ordered service providers to suspend public internet access and some mobile services shortly before voting, citing the need to curb misinformation and electoral risks.
The blackout lasted several days and drew criticism from rights advocates, who warned that it restricted access to information and freedom of expression.
Similarly, Tanzania experienced widespread internet outages on election day during its October 2025 polls, raising concerns among civil society and international observers about transparency and communication restrictions during the vote.
Karondo indicated that Kenya’s approach will differ, aiming to balance free communication with responsible information sharing.
“Before you sit down and spread false information, spread hate, or spread messages that divide people, know that as we allow other Kenyans to enjoy a democratic space, we will also be very firm in holding people accountable for whatever they post,” he said.
Social media platforms have been fertile ground for misinformation during elections.
Ahead of the 2022 general polls, the Mozilla Foundation reported widespread circulation of election-related falsehoods on platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, with authorities threatening to restrict access if hate speech and manipulated information were not checked.
In addition, data from the Reuters Institute Digital Report 2025 showed that 59 per cent of Kenyans blame influencers for spreading disinformation, well above the global average.
The government has also faced criticism over actions perceived to clash with online freedom.
In March this year, TikTok content creator Menelik Kimani was arrested following a satirical video that authorities interpreted as a threat to state security, a move that drew public attention to concerns about how far law enforcement will go in policing speech online.
Such incidents have fuelled calls from digital rights advocates for clearer protections, with the Court of Appeal striking down key “fake news” provisions in the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, ruling that sections of the law were unconstitutional and infringed on freedom of expression the same month.
Karondo made the announcement at Marewa in Kiharu constituency while handing over a new house that he built for a neighbouring family that had been living in a mud-walled house.
The event was attended by prominent figures, including Mbeere North MP Leo Wamuthende, JCM bishop Ben Kiengei and Deputy State House Comptroller Simon Gikuru, among others, who urged locals to support the government.
Kenya has a history of balancing freedom of expression with the need to manage misinformation, especially during election periods. In recent years, neighboring countries have imposed restrictions on communication during elections, raising concerns about transparency and civil liberties. The CAK’s commitment to uphold free speech reflects a broader democratic ethos, distinguishing Kenya’s approach from those of its neighbors, where internet blackouts have been implemented to control information flow.
