Kenya's Communications Authority (CA) has requested the suspension of the social media platform Telegram during specific hours of the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination.

According to Techweez, director general of the CA David Mugonyi issued the order late last week to key telecom companies, including Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom, and JTL, to halt Telegram services on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM until November 22, 2024.

According to the publication, the Ministry of Education received multiple reports of examination supervisors attempting to smuggle mobile phones and materials to candidates. As a result, officials were compelled to apply more stringent restrictions.

NetBlocks, a cybersecurity and internet governance watchdog organisation, revealed on X (previously known as Twitter) via analytics that Telegram usage has been restricted in Kenya, in line with past exam-period restrictions.

“The measure comes as students sit KCSE exams and is consistent with past restrictions of Telegram observed in the country as a measure to limit cheating during exams,” said NetBlocks.

“Telegram Inc. has remained non-responsive and continues to host offending forums,” said Mugonyi.