The idea of an open Internet is the idea that the full resources of the
Internet and means to operate on it are easily accessible to all individuals and companies. This often includes ideas such as net neutrality, open standards, transparency, lack of Internet censorship, and low barriers to entry. We seek to answer questions like: how open is the Internet in Kenya? Is Freedom of Speech Online encouraged or it is suppressed? Are there examples of blocked websites in Kenya? How easy is it to start an Internet business in Kenya?
Thanks Grace Bomu, Let me contribute on freedom of speech. Openness includes issues like censorship and media freedom. It has been noted that media freedom is threatened in Kenya. This was part of US President Obama's message to the government to ensures media freedom is upheld. A good case in point was the news by mainstream media in Kenya of a National Intelligence Service operative who was detained in Netherlands for allegedly going there to interfere with an International Criminal Court ICC witness. Nation Newspaper reported the news through this link http://mobile.nation.co.ke/news/NIS-Deportation-Netherlands-The-Hague-ICC-Wi... but hurriedly deleted it after government threatened them with undue consequences. If you visit that link, you will get an error " 404 the requested resource is not available ". Of course the many backstreet websites (that the government wants to be hosted locally) reported the story nevertheless. Here is the link http://m.news24.com/kenya/MyNews24/NIS-officer-was-deported-from-the-Netherl... There are many examples of such censorships including totally blocked websites. We have heard the debate between responsible journalism verses freedom of expression and reporting. Where should the line be drawn? Please arrange for Harambee incase the NIS pick me. :) Sincerely, Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya