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CA Launches Universal Service Fund (USF) Strategy 2023–2027
by David Indeje 21 May '25

21 May '25

Dear Listers. The Communication Authority’s Universal Service Fund (USF) Strategy 2023–2027 <https://www.ca.go.ke/sites/default/files/CA/USF%20Strategy/Universal%20Serv…> marks a critical juncture in Kenya’s digital transformation journey, aiming to ensure that no community is left behind in the digital revolution. Universal Service and Access Funds (USAFs) play a role in enhancing telecommunications access in rural and remote areas by funding the deployment of essential infrastructure—… [View More]

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APPRECIATION FOR INVITATION AND INTEREST IN FUTURE ENGAGEMENTS
by CLINTON ONYIMBO 19 May '25

19 May '25

Dear Sir/Madam, Greetings, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the invitation to today’s “Talk to Your Regulator” launch event. It was a valuable experience, and I appreciate the opportunity to participate. I am also interested in receiving more information and exploring possibilities for future engagements. Kind regards, Clinton Onyimbo

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Invitation to Review and Comment on Draft Guidance Notes – Data Protection Act, 2019
by David Indeje 19 May '25

19 May '25

Dear Listers, The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) has developed several sector-specific draft guidance notes aimed at assisting entities in complying with the requirements of the Data Protection Act, 2019. We invite you to review these draft guidance notes and provide your valuable feedback by 30th May 2025. https://www.odpc.go.ke/draft-guidance-notes/ Your input is crucial in ensuring that these guidelines are comprehensive and practical for all stakeholders. -- *Kind … [View More]

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Welcome to KICTANet – Monthly Participation Guide & Netiquette
by Odhiambo Washington 19 May '25

19 May '25

Dear KICTANet Members, Thank you for being part of *Kenya’s premier ICT policy engagement platform* . As a subscriber to this mailing list, you are part of a vibrant, multi-stakeholder network of civil society actors, academia, private and public sector professionals, development partners, and media representatives—all working together to catalyze reform and dialogue in the ICT sector. To keep our conversations productive and respectful, here’s a quick monthly reminder on how to interact … [View More]with the list, maintain healthy discussions, and manage your subscription. ------------------------------ 📬 How to Interact with the Mailing List - *Post a Message:* Simply send an email to *kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke* and it will be distributed to all list members. - *Reply Thoughtfully:* When responding, please trim quoted content and stay on topic. - *Stay Civil & Constructive:* Keep discussions respectful and grounded in facts. Disagree without being disagreeable. ------------------------------ ❗Rules of Engagement – KICTANetiquette To ensure respectful and meaningful dialogue, please observe the following guidelines: 1. *Be Respectful:* Treat others as you would in a face-to-face professional environment. 2. *No Personal Attacks:* Refrain from flaming, personalizing debates, or using abusive language. 3. *Stay Relevant:* Share ideas, questions, and knowledge related to ICT policy and practice. 4. *No Spam or Marketing:* Avoid unsolicited promotions or advertising your services or qualifications. 5. *Respect Privacy:* Do not forward private communications without permission. 6. *Manage Bandwidth:* Avoid unnecessarily long posts or attachments. ------------------------------ 🔐 Your Privacy & the Public Nature of This List Please note: - All posts are *publicly archived* and indexed by search engines. - Your email and name (if provided) are visible to the public through the archive. - Information remains publicly available even after you unsubscribe. ------------------------------ 🔄 Need to Unsubscribe? To leave the list, send an email to: 📧 *kictanet-unsubscribe(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke* You’ll receive a confirmation email to finalize the process. ------------------------------ If you ever need help managing your subscription or have questions about the list, feel free to contact the administrators at: 📧 *kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke* ------------------------------ Thank you for your continued engagement. Together, we are shaping the future of ICT in Kenya! *KICTANet – The Power of Communities* *www.kictanet.or.ke <http://www.kictanet.or.ke>* By List Admin Team. -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254 7 3200 0004/+254 7 2274 3223 In an Internet failure case, the #1 suspect is a constant: DNS. "Oh, the cruft.", egrep -v '^$|^.*#' ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ :-) [How to ask smart questions: http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html] [View Less]

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Standards to indicate permissions for internet scraping for AI training
by Benson Muite 19 May '25

19 May '25

There is an IETF process underway to standardize a machine readable way to indicate permissions associated with how online content can be used for AI training. The aim is to find an ai.txt specification analogous to the robot.txt specification put on many websites. For more information see: https://datatracker.ietf.org/group/aicontrolws/materials/ Feedback is sought. Benson

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Highlights: Africa Tech Policy Summit 2025 – Shaping Africa’s Digital Future
by David Indeje 18 May '25

18 May '25

[image: Africa Tech Policy Summit 2025] Dear Lister, The inaugural Africa Tech Policy Summit (AfTPS), held from May 12–16, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya, was a landmark event in advancing inclusive digital transformation across Africa. Convened by KICTANet, a leading ICT policy think tank, the summit was supported by a robust coalition of partners, including the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme, GIZ’s Digital Transformation Centre, Meta Platforms Inc., Safaricom, Association of … [View More]Progressive Communications (APC), Communications Authority, Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA),Huawei, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Amazon Web Services, Inc., Mzalendo, Media Council of Kenya, Kenya Network Information Center (KeNIC), Technology Service Providers of Kenya (TESPOK), Paradigm Initiative, Internet Governance Forum Support Association (IGFSA), EU’s KenSafeSpaces and CADE (Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment), Internet Society Foundation, Belva Digital, and Syokinet as the connectivity partner. Bringing together over 600 stakeholders—policymakers, private sector leaders, civil society, academia, and tech innovators—the summit operated under the theme *“Tech for Human Development: Policy, Innovation, and Inclusive Governance.”* It fostered multi-stakeholder collaboration to craft actionable policy recommendations, positioning Africa as a global leader in digital governance. Below is a comprehensive summary of the summit’s key events, outcomes, and impact. Key Events and Highlights 1. *Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KeIGF) – May 14, 2025*. The 18th KeIGF <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/kenya-igf-2025-tech-for-inclusive-human-developm…>, themed *“Tech for Human Development: Policy, Innovation, and Inclusive Governance,”* facilitated open dialogue on internet governance, aligning with Kenya’s constitutional values of inclusivity and public participation. Discussions focused on fostering home-grown tech solutions, creating ecosystems for AI and emerging technologies, and harmonizing policies for sustainable growth. The event included Youth and 6th Children’s IGFs and featured an award ceremony for 37 graduates of the Kenya School of Internet Governance (KeSIG). <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/kesig-2025-37-graduates-complete-internet-govern…> 2. *East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) – May 15–16, 2025. *In its 12th edition, the EAIGF <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/east-africa-internet-governance-forum-2025-a-reg…>, themed *“Advancing East Africa’s Digital Governance Together,” * emphasized regional collaboration. Convened by KICTANet and the East African Community (EAC), it facilitated knowledge exchange and best practice sharing among East African stakeholders. Dr Grace Githaiga, KICTANet convenor, underscored the need for unified digital governance, urging East African leaders to align policies for a cohesive digital economy. 3. *KICTANet-KenSafeSpaces Policy Hackathon – May 16, 2025.* The KenSafeSpaces Policy Hackathon, supported by the European Union, Internews, and Internet Without Borders, brought together grassroots CSOs and CBOs to co-create policy solutions for a democratic, safe, and inclusive digital environment. Sixty-nine applications were received, with nine three-member teams competing across three thematic areas: - Safeguarding Digital Identity and Data Protection - Combating Online Harassment and Promoting Digital Safety - Enhancing Content Moderation and Platform Accountability [image: Data Labellers Association Winners of the Kensafe Policy Hackathon] *Winners were: * * - Data Labellers Association (€4,000): “Protecting Kenya’s AI Data Workers,” addressing mental health and fair pay for AI data workers. - AbleRise Africa (€3,000): “Enhancing Content Moderation & Platform Accountability for Persons with Disabilities,” promoting accessibility for PWDs in informal settlements. - The Youth Cafe (€2,000): “Cyber Rights Campus Connect,” educating students on cybercrime laws.* Strategic Context and Impact AfTPS aligned with Kenya’s National Digital Master Plan 2022–2032 and the Digital Superhighway initiative, emphasizing digital inclusion and economic transformation. It supported the African Union’s Agenda 2063, positioning Africa as a creator of technology. With Kenya’s ICT sector valued at $110 billion, the summit addressed challenges like the digital divide, cybersecurity, and ethical AI deployment. <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/kenyas-digital-transformation-spotlighted-at-dap…> The summit also highlighted the precarious state of digital activists, with over 50 abductions in 2024 linked to protests like the #RejectFinanceBill movement, underscoring the need for stronger protections. Geopolitical shifts were noted as a threat to African digital rights funding, <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/geopolitical-shifts-threaten-african-digital-rig…> with declining support from traditional donors risking the sustainability of advocacy efforts. The gig economy’s rapid growth, driven by digital platforms, was recognized as a key driver of employment <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/shaping-the-future-of-work-that-is-the-kenyas-gi…>, particularly for youth and women, but requires policies to ensure fair wages and worker protections. A UK Digital Access Programme (DAP) workshop <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/kenyas-digital-transformation-spotlighted-at-dap…> emphasized Kenya’s progress in connectivity, with 43% internet penetration, and stressed the need for continued investment in school connectivity and digital skills to bridge the digital divide. AFTPS 2025 Outcomes Outcomes included actionable policy recommendations, strengthened regional partnerships, and contributions to global tech governance frameworks that place emphasis on trust, inclusivity, and sustainability as core principles. *Broader Ecosystem Engagement* AfTPS complemented other 2025 tech summits, such as the Connected Africa Summit (May 26–29, Diani), focusing on cross-border collaboration and emerging technologies, and the Africa Tech Summit Nairobi (February 12–13), which celebrated innovations in fintech, health tech, and climate tech. AfTPS distinguished itself by prioritising policy harmonisation and inclusive governance, fostering a collaborative environment for stakeholders. The summit’s focus on digital advocacy highlighted creative strategies like anonymous social media campaigns and encrypted tools to ensure activist safety, reflecting Kenya’s resilient digital advocacy landscape. Conclusion The Africa Tech Policy Summit 2025, convened by KICTANet and backed by a diverse coalition, solidified Kenya’s leadership in Africa’s digital transformation. By uniting stakeholders to address policy challenges, the summit delivered solutions for inclusive, safe, and innovative digital ecosystems. The KenSafeSpaces Policy Hackathon exemplified this mission, empowering grassroots organisations to drive change. Despite challenges like activist safety, funding constraints, and privacy concerns, AfTPS set a precedent for collaborative governance, paving the way for a sustainable digital future. -- *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje* *@**KICTANet* <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/> * Communications *_____________________________________ +254 (0) 711 385 945 | +254 (0) 734 024 856 KICTANet portals Connect With Us <https://linktr.ee/Kictanet> ______________________________________ [View Less]

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INVITATION TO LAUNCH OF ‘TALK TO YOUR REGULATOR’ INITIATIVE ON 19 MAY
by bkimari＠chrips.or.ke 17 May '25

17 May '25

Dear Partner, The Kenya non-profit organizations' Working Group on the Financial Action Task Force in partnership with the Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority (PBORA) invite you to the Launch of the "Talk To Your Regulator" (T2R) Initiative. The launch will be a hybrid half-day meeting that will take place on Monday, 19th May 2025 at Sarova Stanley Hotel, Nairobi from 8:00 am-2:00pm. The conference will bring together diverse civil society organisations, oversight and … [View More]regulatory bodies, and representatives of financial institutions and development partners to share insights and debate critical issues related to oversight and regulation of terror financing risks in Kenya's non-profit sector. Discussions will focus on fostering an enabling environment for non-profit organisations by bridging the knowledge gaps in the regulatory framework, mitigating their misapplication and addressing adverse effects on the civic space. The timing of this conversation is crucial as the Public Benefits Organizations Act (PBO Act) 2013 comes into operation, and as the Government of Kenya works to address deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime. Kenya was grey listed in 2024 following Mutual Evaluation by the East and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG). The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) regional body found that Kenya lacks a clear strategy for prosecution of money laundering offenses, has not adequately investigated and prosecuted terror financing, and has an underdeveloped risk-based approach to anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) supervision. It further concluded that while Kenya has a large non-profit sector, it is largely unsupervised and unregulated, hence the risk of terror financing abuse remains unidentified. The Talk to Your Regulator (T2R) Initiative aims to foster stakeholder collaboration and dialogue to develop actionable strategies for ensuring risk-based approaches are taken in terror financing oversight and regulation of the NPO sector. With Kenya now on the FATF's grey list and subject to increased monitoring, there is impetus to review the interrelated factors that have led to an uncoordinated regulatory and supervision regime in the non-profit sector. Through the T2R, the NPO Working Group will work to ensure civil society voice and representation in efforts to revise the NPO regulatory framework. This collaborative approach will help ensure that oversight and regulation measures are effective in combating financial crimes, risk-based, and do not disrupt or discourage legitimate NPO activity. Please find attached the Launch agenda and concept note, which outlines the topics to be discussed and the objectives of the event. Please confirm physical attendance by responding to this email or register using this link if you wish to attend online https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/l9_8ejKFSPiOh5e3d3sA5g For any enquiries about the conference or the NPO Working Group, please reach out to bkimari(a)chrips.or.ke or f.okado(a)muhuri.org We look forward to your participation and collaboration. Best, Kimari Programme Manager, Centre for Human Rights and Policy Studies [View Less]

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KICTANet Hosts East Africa Internet Governance
by David Indeje 16 May '25

16 May '25

[image: 1.png] Dear Listers, We are hosting the 12th 2025 East Africa Internet Governance Forum <https://eaigf.africa/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/East-Africa-2025-concept-no…> in partnership with the East Africa Community – EAC and other East Africa NRIs under the theme, “Advancing East Africa’s Digital Governance Together.” The theme reflects the recognition that effective digital governance requires collective effort and shared vision. It underscores the importance of multi-… [View More]

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Happening now: Join us at the 2025 East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF).
by Neema Mujesia 15 May '25

15 May '25

[image: image.png] Join us at the 2025 East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF). Hosted by KICTANet in partnership with the East Africa Community (EAC) and East Africa NRIs, this year’s EAIGF is themed “Advancing East Africa’s Digital Governance Together.” This theme highlights the power of collective action in shaping effective digital policies, standards, and practices. Together, we can unlock the full potential of the digital age for East Africa while addressing its challenges. … [View More]

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Reminder: Kenya IGF Happening Today – Register Now!
by David Indeje 14 May '25

14 May '25

Dear Listers, This is a quick reminder that the Kenya Internet Governance Forum (Kenya IGF) is happening today! Join stakeholders from government, private sector, civil society, academia, media, and the public for an open, inclusive dialogue on Internet governance under the theme: *“Tech for Human Development: Policy, Innovation and Inclusive Governance.”* This forum supports Kenya’s values of inclusive governance and Africa’s digital transformation goals. *Register now* For Physical … [View More]

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