Kenya experienced its first significant internet shutdown on June 25, 2024, starting around 5:00 pm and lasting until approximately 12:30 am on June 26, 2024. Depending on who you ask, some services are still struggling indicating the possibility of more trottling. This shutdown coincided with the #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests, which saw unprecedented participation from the youth of Kenya.During the Internet shutdown, major networks such as Safaricom's 5G, 4G, and fiber services were affected. Neighboring landlocked countries that rely on undersea cables terminating at Kenya's coast, including Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, also experienced connectivity issues.Despite prior assurances from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) <https://x.com/CA_Kenya/status/1805311316719993274> that there would be no internet shutdown, the disruption occurred, raising several critical questions.Discussion Points: 1. Cause of the Shutdown: - What were the reasons behind the internet shutdown? Was it a deliberate act by the government? - How credible are the claims by ISPs like Safaricom <https://x.com/SafaricomPLC/status/1805615681951375595> that the disruptions were due to issues with undersea cables? 2. Extent and Impact: - Which Internet Service Providers (ISPs) were involved in the shutdown? Were there differences in the extent of the disruption across different ISPs? - How did the shutdown affect essential services such as mobile payment systems (e.g., M-PESA) and emergency services? 3. Authority and Orders: - Who gave the orders for the shutdown? Was there any official documentation or communication from the government or regulatory bodies? - What role did the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) play during the shutdown, and how did their actions align with their prior statements? 4. Technical and Legal Implications: - What measurement tools and probes were used by techies to understand the extent of the shutdown? What were the findings? - How does this shutdown align with Kenya's constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and access to information? 5. Regional Impact: - How did the shutdown in Kenya affect neighboring countries that rely on its internet infrastructure? - What measures can be taken to prevent such widespread disruptions in the future? The internet shutdown in Kenya has significant implications for digital rights, economic activities, and regional connectivity. It is crucial to conduct a thorough postmortem to understand the causes, impacts, and preventive measures to ensure such disruptions do not recur. It is important to note that KICTAnet and other partners <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/joint-statement-a-call-against-internet-shutdowns-in-kenya-during-june-2024-demonstrations/> issued a statement urging the government to #KeepItOn just a day before the event. Best Regards, ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwendwa-kivuva