Kenya: Matiang'i Accuses State of 'Digital Terrorism' Against Opposition

What the report says

Fred Matiang'i, the Jubilee Party deputy leader and a former interior cabinet secretary, has accused Kenya’s government of targeting opposition figures with what he called “digital terrorism.” The remarks were reported by Capital FM and distributed by AllAfrica from Nairobi. Matiang'i made the claims during a political engagement, presenting them as part of a broader pattern of pressure on opposition activity.

According to the report, he alleged that opposition leaders were facing interference with social media accounts, surveillance, and disruptions to communications during campaign-style trips. He also said his team had experienced jamming and difficulty using Wi-Fi while traveling to rallies. The article further says he linked the alleged disruption to state-backed vehicles and technology used to trail opposition figures.

Matiang'i also accused the government of spending heavily on propaganda and fake news to undermine opponents. He cited a purported letter and statement involving former state communication chief Kanze Dena and former President Uhuru Kenyatta as an example of the kind of material he says is being circulated. The report says he argued these actions showed a government more focused on targeting rivals than on national challenges.

As background, claims of surveillance, disinformation, and interference in political activity are serious because they raise questions about fair competition and freedom of expression. The article presents the allegations as Matiang'i’s statements; it does not include a government response.