Kenyan blogger Kennedy Kachwanya has taken action against the ICT Authority of Kenya, drafting a demand letter requesting the authority to unblock him on a particular social media platform, referred to as X.
Backed by support from the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), Kachwanya asserts that the blocking infringes upon his right to access public information through the said platform.
“On 30 August 2023, exercising his right to freedom of speech under Article 33, Kachwanya criticised the Authority’s post on the safety of public Wifi. You promptly blocked him,” the demand letter states.
He further accused ICT Authority of being unreceptive to criticism.
“Blocking dissenting views also sets a dangerous precedent for censorship and suppression of free speech. Plus, public officials and institutions, like the Authority, must grow a thick skin to bear criticism.”
Kachwanya demands to be unblocked within 24 hours, and that the ICT Authority guarantees non-repetition of the act.
“Publicly apologise for the wrongful blocking and the inconvenience or distress caused by your action,” the blogger stated, saying he will take further legal actions if the Authority fails to comply.
