Popular messaging app, Telegram, has been censored yet again in Kenya, as reported by the global Internet monitor Netblocks.
Based on their testing, they have established that Telegram has been restricted in the country, following a pattern from yesteryears.
“Metrics show that messaging app Telegram has been restricted in Kenya as KCSE school exams are held, following an established pattern of internet censorship measures intended to limit cheating on exam days,” Netblocks reveals in a tweet.
From the screenshot shared by Netblocks, they tested both Safaricom and Airtel and found out there was a consistent failure rate for both Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Focusing on Safaricom, Telegram was not reachable at all (0% reachability) while Airtel fared better with a reachability rate of between 42% – 45%. On my end, Telegram does seem to work on Airtel but fails on my Safaricom Wi-Fi, which confirms what Netblocks says in their report.
On Twitter/X, Kenyans expressed their frustration about the censoring of Telegram in the country, noting how it usually happens during national examinations.
This move follows a statement made by the PS Interior, Raymond Omollo, where he said that tight measures are in place to safeguard the exams nationwide.
“We have the team from ICT, and we are looking at issues of the use of social media, where people pretend to be sharing information and even collecting money from unsuspecting parents, teachers, or students. Where we have found breeches or find those breeches, we will be able to act appropriately. Just to give assurance to all the students and teachers, the preparations that are in place are good enough to ensure that we do not interfere with the integrity of the examination,” PS Omollo said
It is not immediately clear when the censorship will be lifted, but judging from the events from last year, it may be lifted at the end of the KCSE exams, which are slated to end by 21st November 2025
