Kenya’s Catholic Bishops have issued a strong statement opposing the newly enacted Cybercrime Law, warning that it could curtail freedom of expression and be misused to intimidate critics of the government. The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) called for a thorough review of the legislation, which they say was rushed through Parliament without adequate public participation.
The bishops argued that several provisions of the law are too broad and risk being applied selectively during political seasons. They fear the law could create an environment where citizens, especially young people, become fearful of voicing concerns online.
“The youth should never feel intimidated into silence,” the bishops said, urging young Kenyans to remain vocal while maintaining civility and responsibility online.
The clergy’s stance comes amid rising national debate over the Cybercrime Act, with critics saying it lacks clarity on how it targets offenders such as fraudsters, cyberbullies, or political actors. Supporters of the law argue that it is meant to protect Kenyans from digital harm, but rights groups maintain it could easily become a tool for censorship.
The bishops reminded the government that digital safety laws must balance public morality with constitutional freedoms. They urged authorities to reopen consultations and strengthen safeguards that prevent abuse of power.
As the pushback grows, digital rights activists, youth groups and civil society organizations are rallying to demand amendments that protect online spaces from both crime and censorship. The bishops’ intervention adds significant pressure on the government, signalling that the conversation on Kenya’s digital freedoms is far from over.
