Democratic Party of Kenya leader Justin Muturi has strongly criticised President William Ruto over the newly signed Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, accusing him of using it to stifle free expression and silence dissenting voices.
In a fiery press statement issued on Friday, October 24, 2025, Muturi described the law as “a weapon against courage,” claiming it was not intended to combat cybercrime but to intimidate outspoken citizens, especially the youth.
“Somebody tell President William Ruto that Kenyans are not fools. The so-called Cybercrimes Amendment Act is not a law against crime — it is a law against courage,” Muturi declared. “It was crafted not to protect citizens but to silence them.”
Muturi argued that the new amendment unfairly targets Kenya’s Gen Z movement, whose digital activism has challenged the political establishment. He said the government fears a generation that mobilises without tribal politics or money.
“They saw a generation that can mobilise in hours, not months — a generation that doesn’t need bribes to rise or permission to speak — and they panicked,” he said. “This law is a coward’s attempt to cage courage.”
Meanwhile, President William Ruto defended the legislation during a speech in Laikipia on Thursday, insisting that it is aimed at protecting Kenyans from online harm, radicalism, and cyberbullying.
“The law responds to emerging digital threats that have inflicted real damage on society,” Ruto said, adding that it is part of a broader plan to strengthen digital governance while safeguarding constitutional freedoms.
However, Muturi dismissed the President’s justification, calling the Act “the digital extension of dictatorship.” He urged Kenyan youth to recognise the move as a sign of fear from a regime losing touch with its people.
“This law is not a sign of strength,” Muturi concluded. “It is a confession of fear by a failed leadership.”
