During Kenya’s important college entrance exams, Telegram, a popular social media platform, faced an unexplained disruption, sparking speculation about its motive.
Some believed it aimed to prevent exam cheating, as the app remained offline only during the day.
NetBlocks, an internet rights organization, revealed the eight-day shutdown cost Kenya billions in losses. Each day of Telegram’s inaccessibility led to an estimated Ksh537 million ($3.4 million) loss in sales and economic benefits.
Globally, Kenya’s loss during the 192-hour shutdown ranked sixteenth among jurisdictions facing internet disruptions in the past year, impacting 15.6 million people and costing $27 million. This incident highlights the growing concern about internet shutdowns in Africa and globally, revealing their impact on businesses, citizens, and human rights.
