The 2025 summer transfer window has officially closed!

How WhatsApp Messages Are Landing Kenyans in Legal Hot Water

A recent case from Lamu has sparked nationwide debate on the legal risks of sharing messages on WhatsApp. Donald Mwendwa Nzau was convicted under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2018 for sharing false information in a local WhatsApp group. Although the message didn’t name anyone directly, the court found it clearly referred to a public official, damaging their reputation. Nzau was given a choice between paying a hefty fine or serving prison time. This case highlights how posts in private digital spaces can now trigger serious criminal consequences.

Central to these convictions are Sections 22 and 23 of the Cybercrimes Act, which outlaw publishing false, misleading, or defamatory content online. Proponents see these laws as essential tools to combat rampant misinformation and protect citizens from online harassment. But critics argue they are increasingly wielded to silence dissent, stifle unpopular opinions, and punish individuals for expressing controversial views. This tension between free speech and regulation has fueled heated discussions across civil rights circles.

Human rights activists including Joshua Okayo, Davis Thuranira, and Brian Kithinji have formally petitioned Parliament, calling for urgent reforms to the law. They warn the current framework doesn’t sufficiently safeguard legitimate expression and has led to arbitrary arrests and unfair prosecutions. Since the Act’s passage in 2018, numerous bloggers, social media influencers, and commentators have faced detention or harassment over seemingly minor content like memes or satirical cartoons.

The 2025 summer transfer window has officially closed, marking an unprecedented period in Premier League history. Clubs collectively spent nearly £3 billion, setting a new record and showcasing the league’s financial prowess. Here’s a detailed ranking of each club’s transfer activity, from the most successful to the least, based on spending, strategic signings, and overall squad enhancement.

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Top Performers

1.⁠ ⁠Liverpool – Grade: A+
•⁠ ⁠Key Signings: Alexander Isak (£130M), Florian Wirtz (£116.5M), Hugo Ekitike
•⁠ ⁠Total Spend: £415M
•⁠ ⁠Overview: Liverpool shattered their transfer record twice, bringing in top-tier talent to reinforce their squad. Manager Arne Slot’s vision is evident in these acquisitions, aiming to maintain their competitive edge. [1]

2.⁠ ⁠Arsenal – Grade: A
•⁠ ⁠Key Signings: Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyökeres, Martín Zubimendi, Noni Madueke
•⁠ ⁠Total Spend: £299M
•⁠ ⁠Overview: Under new sporting director Andrea Berta, Arsenal made strategic additions to bolster their midfield and attack, addressing previous squad depth concerns. [2]

3.⁠ ⁠Chelsea – Grade: A-
•⁠ ⁠Key Signings: Estevao Willian, Pedro Neto
•⁠ ⁠Total Spend: £282.1M
•⁠ ⁠Overview: Chelsea focused on youth and potential, investing heavily in promising talents to build for the future. [3]4.⁠ ⁠Newcastle United – Grade: B+
•⁠ ⁠Key Signings: Aaron Ramsdale, Yoane Wissa
•⁠ ⁠Total Spend: £250M
•⁠ ⁠Overview: Despite losing Alexander Isak, Newcastle reinvested wisely, strengthening key areas to remain competitive. [2]

5.⁠ ⁠Tottenham Hotspur – Grade: B+
•⁠ ⁠Key Signings: Xavi Simons
•⁠ ⁠Total Spend: £181M
•⁠ ⁠Overview: Tottenham addressed creative gaps in their squad, making calculated moves to enhance their attacking options. [2]

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Mid-Table Movers

6.⁠ ⁠Manchester United – Grade: B
•⁠ ⁠Key Signings: Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha
•⁠ ⁠Total Spend: £216M
•⁠ ⁠Overview: United focused on bolstering their attack but faced criticism for not adequately addressing midfield and defensive needs. [1]

7.⁠ ⁠Sunderland – Grade: B
•⁠ ⁠Key Signings: Multiple additions to strengthen squad depth
•⁠ ⁠Total Spend: £162M
•⁠ ⁠Overview: As a newly promoted side, Sunderland made significant investments to ensure Premier League survival. [3]

8.⁠ ⁠Nottingham Forest – Grade: B
•⁠ ⁠Key Signings: Various acquisitions to enhance squad
•⁠ ⁠Total Spend: £205M
•⁠ ⁠Overview: Forest continued their trend of extensive recruitment, aiming to build a robust team for the challenges ahead. [2]

9.⁠ ⁠Manchester City – Grade: B-
•⁠ ⁠Key Signings: Gianluigi Donnarumma•⁠ ⁠Total Spend: £179.4M
•⁠ ⁠Overview: City’s recruitment raised questions, with some positions still lacking depth despite high-profile signings. [2]

10.⁠ ⁠West Ham United – Grade: B-
•⁠ ⁠Key Signings: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Crysencio Summerville, Maximilian Kilman
•⁠ ⁠Total Spend: £127.2M
•⁠ ⁠Overview: West Ham made astute acquisitions, though some areas of the squad may still require attention. [4]

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Underwhelming Windows

11.⁠ ⁠Aston Villa – Grade: C
•⁠ ⁠Key Signings: Amadou Onana, Ian Maatsen
•⁠ ⁠Total Spend: £57.5M
•⁠ ⁠Overview: Villa faced transitional challenges, with their transfer activity not fully addressing squad deficiencies. [5]

12.⁠ ⁠Brentford – Grade: C
•⁠ ⁠Key Signings: Limited additions
•⁠ ⁠Total Spend: £84.8M
•⁠ ⁠Overview: Brentford’s window was hindered by constraints, and they may struggle without significant reinforcements. [2]

13.⁠ ⁠Brighton & Hove Albion – Grade: C
•⁠ ⁠Key Signings: Ansu Fati (loan)
•⁠ ⁠Total Spend: £73.6M
•⁠ ⁠Overview: Brighton lost key players and their replacements may not suffice for the rigors of European competition. [6]

14.⁠ ⁠Bournemouth – Grade: C-
•⁠ ⁠Key Signings: Defensive overhauls
•⁠ ⁠Total Spend:Citations:
1.⁠ ⁠The Sun: www.thesun.co.uk/sport/36532132/premier-league-record-transfer-window-arsenal-man-utd-chelsea/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2.⁠ ⁠The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/football/2025/sep/02/transfer-deadline-day-premier-league-club-by-club-analysis?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3.⁠ ⁠The Scottish Sun: www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/15291279/premier-league-transfer-window-rated-signings/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4.⁠ ⁠Premier League: www.premierleague.com/news/4105947?utm_source=chatgpt.com
5.⁠ ⁠CaughtOffside: www.caughtoffside.com/2024/08/31/premier-league-summer-transfer-window-rating/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
6.⁠ ⁠NBC Sports: www.nbcsports.com/soccer/news/summer-transfer-window-grades-for-every-premier-league-club?utm_source=chatgpt.com