Kenya has detached itself from the Declaration of the future of internet terming its listing as erroneous.
Kenya is listed alongside members of the European Union, the United States, and a number of other international partners that have suggested a ‘Declaration for the Future of the Internet,’ which outlines the vision and values of a trustworthy Internet.
Through the Government spokesperson Col Cyrus Oguna, Kenya will be able to state her position on the matter after the declaration is reviewed.
“While we are listed as a signatory to the declaration, we wish to state that, as a country, we have not gone through our processes and laws for endorsing this declaration. As per our laws, Kenya can only be a signatory to any international instrument after Cabinet approval, and ratification by the National Assembly.” read the press release.
The “Declaration for the Future of the Internet” lauched yesterday by the US establishes priorities for an internet that is “open, free, global, interoperable, reliable, and secure.” It emphasizes objectives such as affordability, net neutrality, and the removal of illicit content without stifling free speech, but it provides little details on how to achieve them.
The Declaration’s principles include commitments to:
- Protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people;
- Promote a global Internet that advances the free flow of information;
- Advance inclusive and affordable connectivity so that all people can benefit from the digital economy;
- Promote trust in the global digital ecosystem, including through protection of privacy; and
- Protect and strengthen the multistakeholder approach to governance that keeps the Internet running for the benefit of all
The declaration emphasizes that the internet should be decentralized and internationally interconnected, and states that countries should “refrain from undermining the technical infrastructure necessary for the internet’s general availability and integrity.” That’s an implicit rebuke to the “splinternet,” which is a splintered internet caused by countries prohibiting services and shutting off online access. It’s a contrast to the ideals of countries like Russia and China (neither of which is a signatory), which have severely limited access to international websites and apps.
You can read the declaration in detail here.