WHEREAS internet is seen as an exclusive preserve of the elite in Nigeria, a month-long study, which was revealed by TelecomPaper, conducted across Kenya and commissioned by the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and research firm Ipsos found that 86 percent of Kenyans viewed the internet as the epitome of freedom of expression and political freedom. Almost all respondents (95 percent) said the internet was part of their economic future and livelihood.
The survey revealed that 39 percent of Kenyans had no problem with sharing their private information with companies online; however, 96 percent said they were unlikely to take up online banking services since they feared cyber-criminals. 70 percent of Kenyans feel law-enforcement agencies must be able to access the online communications of citizens as a matter of right, especially those suspected of a crime, the study revealed.
According to the study, 98 percent of Kenyans surveyed felt that the internet was important for their future in terms of accessing scientific knowledge and other important information. This, they felt, should be deliberately fast-tracked via government interventions of making provisions of internet access cheaper and available nationally.
The survey further revealed that most global citizens (85 percent) agreed that phones should be unlocked when someone is suspected of a crime.