Human Rights Watch warned on Thursday that Kenya’s cybercrime law amendments risk criminalizing legitimate online speech. The amendments , assented to on October 15 and published by Parliament on November 4, increase penalties for certain offences, broaden the government’s investigative and enforcement powers, and expand the authority of the National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee to order internet service providers to block or take down online content.

Human Rights Watch said the amendments could be weaponized against journalists and activists because of their overly broad definitions. Critics argue these standards are incompatible with Kenya’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights , which guarantees freedom of expression subjec

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