At the WSIS+20 High-Level Meeting in New York, Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to a people-centered digital future in line with the World Summit on the Information Society’s (WSIS) broader goals. This came as Kenya marked 20 years since the inaugural WSIS, pushing for a digital future built on trust, equality, and human rights.
ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo highlighted Kenya’s ongoing progress in digital infrastructure, pointing to achievements like aggressive broadband expansion, the Universal Service Fund (USF), and the creation of 1,450 digital hubs across the country. These initiatives, Kabogo noted, underscore Kenya’s strides toward bridging the digital divide and promoting inclusive growth.
Kenya’s Global Role and Investments in Digital Infrastructure
Kenya’s role as a WSIS+20 co-facilitator alongside Albania further solidified the country’s growing influence in international digital conversations, particularly in areas like AI capacity building, digital public infrastructure, and cybersecurity frameworks. In a side event hosted by Partner2Connect, Kenya showcased investments of over USD 30.97 million in mobile broadband and USD 38.72 million in national fiber infrastructure, laying over 8,000 km of network backbone through the USF.
This move reflects the country’s alignment with WSIS+20’s vision, which focuses on reducing digital divides, improving infrastructure, building technical skills, and governing emerging technologies like AI responsibly.
The Contradiction Between Global Messaging and Local Reality
Despite the promising international message, there are growing concerns about how Kenya’s digital policies align with the principles it champions globally. The WSIS+20 outcome document emphasizes online human rights, freedom of expression, and inclusive digital governance through platforms like the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). However, Kenya’s domestic digital environment tells a different story.
In recent years, Kenya has faced increasing concerns about restrictions on information freedom, heightened regulatory pressure on online platforms, and surveillance anxieties. The government has also been criticized for clamping down on online dissent, with the passage of controversial legislation such as the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025. Signed into law in October, the act introduces heavy fines (up to KES 20 million) and long prison sentences (up to 10 years) for broad offenses like sharing “false, misleading, or alarming information”, without clear definitions.
Does Kenya’s Digital Commitment Match Domestic Actions?
This new law raises concerns about whether Kenya is genuinely committed to upholding the trust and human rights pillars it champions abroad. The law’s provisions give the government sweeping powers to block websites without oversight, further compounding worries about digital freedoms and the lack of meaningful checks on government power.
As Kenya seeks to promote a digital future built on trust, the gap between the country’s international commitments and domestic policies is becoming more apparent. While Kenya has made strides in building digital infrastructure and emphasizing cybersecurity on the global stage, the reality for many Kenyans is different, especially regarding online freedoms and access to information.
Looking Ahead: Will Kenya Align Global Goals with Local Action?
As Kenya’s digital diplomacy continues to grow, the real test will be whether the country can align its global digital goals with practical, domestic policy actions. The government must prove that its international advocacy for a trustworthy, equal, and human rights-based digital future translates into real protection for its citizens. The ability to bridge this gap will determine whether Kenya’s international digital leadership is more than just rhetoric or whether it leads to tangible policy changes that protect the rights of all Kenyans online.
While the WSIS+20 summit and its messaging are important steps forward, Kenya must now demonstrate that its commitment to digital inclusion is reflected in the digital experiences and freedoms of its people. Only time will tell if the nation can navigate the complex balance between international digital diplomacy and local digital reality.
