NAIROBI, Kenya — A new Amnesty International Kenya report accuses state agencies of using digital platforms, online intimidation and unlawful surveillance to target young activists who led the 2024–2025 protests against the Finance Bill.
Released on Wednesday, the report — Tech-facilitated violence against young activists in Kenya — details how X and TikTok became central organising hubs as young Kenyans rallied online against proposed tax measures and worsening economic hardship.
That wave of digital activism helped fuel the massive Gen Z–led demonstrations that swept through Nairobi and other major cities in June last year.
But Amnesty says the state responded with a coordinated online and offline crackdown designed to silence dissent, disrupt mobilisation and instil fear.
According to the report, activists were trailed, trolled, threatened and in some cases forcibly disappeared after criticising government policies online.
The organisation cites cases of unlawful surveillance, arrests and abductions involving multiple security units, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit and military intelligence.
Digital harassment, threats and disappearances
By August 2024, the Law Society of Kenya had recorded at least 72 cases of activists abducted, released or still missing in relation to the protests.
Human Rights Watch also found that several disappearances were carried out by mixed security teams.
One of the most disturbing cases highlighted by Amnesty is that of 31-year-old digital creator Albert Ojwang, who was arrested in June and later died in police custody — a death that sparked renewed protests ahead of the June anniversary demonstrations.
Activists interviewed for the report described a wave of targeted harassment, doxxing and threats across X, TikTok, Facebook and WhatsApp.
Nine out of 31 young human rights defenders (HRDs) said they received direct threats, many referencing their families.
A 27-year-old activist from Mombasa told Amnesty she was forced to change her child’s school after anonymous users sent her the child’s personal details, warning of harm if she continued supporting the protests.
Gendered and religion-based attacks
Popular Gen Z activist Hanifa Adan, known for spearheading fundraising for victims of police brutality, said she was subjected to coordinated gender-based and Islamophobic attacks.
Amnesty says state-aligned bloggers amplified falsehoods about her personal life to discredit her work and alienate her from her community.
“Having strangers say things about you every single day… it took away the spark, the joy,” Hanifa told Amnesty.
Paid disinformation networks and blackout concerns
The report also brings new details about organised disinformation networks. One anonymous contributor — who described himself as a “keyboard warrior” — told Amnesty he was part of a WhatsApp group of about 20 people paid between Sh25,000 and Sh50,000 monthly to push government-aligned narratives and drown out protest-related hashtags.
“Most of the things you see trending in Kenya, I’m among the people doing that,” he said.
Amnesty further cites findings by digital rights group Access Now, which documented a near-40% nationwide drop in internet connectivity on June 25, 2024 — a day marked by heavy clashes between protesters and police.
Platforms such as Signal and X also experienced significant disruptions, particularly on Safaricom’s network.
A climate of fear
Amnesty interviewed 31 young HRDs aged 18 to 28 and seven older activists involved in the protests. Many came from marginalised communities and said their activism was part of a broader fight for justice.
“The chilling effects of such harassment and incitement go far beyond their immediate targets,” Amnesty Kenya Executive Director Irũngũ Houghton warned. “It must be stopped before it silences critical voices and undermines our constitutional freedoms.”
