Kenya not signatory to edict on future of internet - Oguna

 

Kenya has denied endorsing the Declaration for the Future of the Internet as claimed by the United States.

Government spokesperson Cryus Oguna said on Friday that Kenya has mistakenly been listed as of the 60 signatories to the declaration.

"As per our laws, Kenya can only be a signatory to any international instrument after Cabinet approval and ratification by the National Assembly," Oguna said in a statement.

He explained that the country has not gone through the processes and laws of endorsing such an edict.

The Declaration was launched on Thursday at an online event in Washington, D.C.

The event was organised by the White House's National Security Council.

It emphasizes that the internet should be decentralized and globally interconnected.

A statement posted on the White House website said that in signing the  Declaration, the US  and partners would work together to refrain from undermining the technical infrastructure essential to the general availability and integrity of the internet.

The document further discusses privacy and safety steps that the EU has taken in recent years.

They include the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Digital Services Act (DSA) which seeks to impose greater obligations for web services to remove illegal content and prevent harm to users.

Of the 60 countries listed as signatories, 32 are not members of the European Union.

Oguna said that the declaration is still being reviewed and the outcome of the review will determine whether Kenya will sign or fail to sign it.    BY THE STAR