Kenya blocked Telegram during the KCSE 2024 exams

Telegram was blocked in Kenya on some networks between 7th November 2024 to 29th November 2024. This block was reportedly requested by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to prevent cheating during the national exams until 22nd November 2024.

This is not the first time Kenya restricts access to Telegram during the KCSE exams. We reported a similar block in 2023.

According to the shared letter, CA requested Telegram to be blocked on mobile networks during weekdays in specified hours: between 7:00 to 10:00, and between 13:00 to 17:00. As documented in the CA’s request, the temporary suspension of Telegram services should have been lifted on 22nd November 2024.

OONI data shows that Telegram was almost completely inaccessible between 7th to 29th November 2024 on at least two networks in Kenya, both of which are associated with Safaricom (one of the biggest ISPs in the country).

The following chart aggregates OONI measurement coverage from the testing of Telegram endpoints in Kenya on Safaricom (AS33771) between 1st November 2024 to 4th December 2024.

As is evident through the chart, most measurements for Telegram result in anomalies starting on 7th November 2024. OONI data shows the persistent blocking of Telegram on Safaricom (AS33771) until (at least) 26th November 2024 which contradicts the CA order to lift the block on 22nd November 2024. This persistent blocking is also different from what we documented on the same network during KCSE 2023 when Telegram was only blocked on Safaricom (AS33771) during specific hours each day.

The following chart aggregates OONI measurement coverage from the testing of Telegram endpoints in Kenya on Safaricom (AS37061) between 1st November 2024 to 4th December 2024.

The spike in anomalous measurements presents signs of Telegram blocking since 7th November 2024, similarly to what is observed on Safaricom (AS33771). However, we observe a drop in the number of anomalies after 22nd November 2024, which correlates with the period of blocking requested by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).

Overall, OONI data shows consistent signs of Telegram blocking on two Safaricom networks (AS33771, AS37061). The timings of the blocks correlate with the timings of the KCSE 2024 exams and the dates stated in the official letter from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). However, it’s worth noting that the block does not appear to be implemented on all networks, as OONI data shows that Telegram was accessible on many other networks in Kenya in November 2024.

If you are in Kenya, you can help test Telegram and contribute more measurements by running OONI Probe.