Digital uprising raises ethical questions

A digital uprising, mainly on Twitter, became a formidable force as Kenyans shared the contact details of MPs and other politicians and urged fellow citizens to send messages demanding the rejection of the Finance Bill 2024.

This initiative, in addition to calls for mass action, put significant pressure on the government, ultimately leading to the removal of some of the heaviest taxes from the bill. This was a remarkable achievement, demonstrating the power of collective action and digital mobilization.

Since then, however, the movement has taken a disturbing turn. Some Kenyans share personal contact details of relatives of politicians, leading to intimidation and harassment. This is not only unethical, but also counterproductive.

In our fight for justice, it is critical to distinguish between holding public officials accountable and violating the rights of innocent individuals.

No one’s family should suffer because of his/her political actions. Targeting family members could alienate potential supporters who might fear similar reprisals.

It is possible that some relatives of the politicians themselves do not support the Finance Act. Furthermore, people with malicious intent can exploit this tactic to spread false information or settle personal scores.

Our quest for justice and government accountability must remain focused and principled. According to the Kenyan Constitution, the right to privacy is protected and personal data may not be misused (Article 31). This includes protecting against the unwarranted sharing of contact details and personal information.

Let us continue to demand fair policies and hold our leaders accountable, but we must do so with integrity and respect for all individuals.

By avoiding tactics that involve bullying and intimidation, we maintain the credibility and moral high ground of our movement.

Injustice must never be fought with injustice; rather, our actions should exemplify the principles of fairness and respect we demand from our leaders.