In a landmark ruling, Kenya’s Court of Appeal has struck down key sections of the country’s Cybercrime Act, citing concerns over free expression and press freedom. Sections 22 and 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018—which criminalized the publication of “false, misleading or fictitious information” online—were declared unconstitutional for being overly broad and vague.
Civil society groups and digital rights organizations had challenged the law, arguing that it had been used to target journalists, bloggers, and government critics for online commentary. The court agreed, ruling that the provisions threatened constitutional rights to freedom of expression and media independence.
The decision is widely seen as a significant victory for digital rights in Kenya, safeguarding the internet as a platform for creativity, accountability, and civic engagement. Legal analysts note that the ruling may set an important precedent for balancing cybercrime regulation with fundamental freedoms in the digital era.
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