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Telegram Blocked in Kenya
by Jacinta Wothaya 08 Nov '24

08 Nov '24

Dear Listers, As of November 7, 2024, many users across Kenya were unable to access Telegram, and this disruption has affected businesses, civil society actors, and other individuals who rely on the platform for communication. Tatua Digital Resilience Centre has confirmed that the platform is still inaccessible without a VPN, and the connectivity anomalies have been corroborated through OONI and Netblocks tests, as well as reports by users on X (formerly Twitter). The government's rationale for blocking Telegram again stems from concerns over national exam cheating, but this blanket shutdown is affecting more than just those involved in the exams. We understand the challenges that come with this disruption, and Tatua is here to help. If you are affected by the block and need help, please reach out through email and the Tatua helpdesk <https://support.tatua.digital/>. For more details about the current situation, please visit the Tatua website <https://tatua.digital/cyber-security/telegram-access-blocked-in-kenya-amids…>. We also encourage all concerned parties to voice their support for #KeepItOn, urging the government to respect citizens' rights to access information and communicate freely. Kind Regards, *Jacinta Wothaya,* *Digital Resilience Fellow @**KICTANet* <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/>, @*tatua <https://tatua.digital/>* LinkedIn: *Jacinta Wothaya <http://www.linkedin.com/in/jacinta-wothaya-510a8b153>*

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Telegram Blocked
by Victor Kapiyo 08 Nov '24

08 Nov '24

Morning Listers, Telegram has been blocked in Kenya for the since yesterday on Safaricom network. I have run tests since yesterday on OONI and seems something is up. I haven't seen any communication from Safaricom on whether they're experiencing any challenge on their network with the platform from a customer service perspective. https://explorer.ooni.org/measurement/20241108T072855Z_telegram_KE_37061_n1… Any one with any update on why this is happening? Last year, the platform was also blocked during the same exam period. Victor

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Top global investors and founders to share insights at Angel Fair Africa 2024 in Nairobi
by Eric Osiakwan 31 Oct '24

31 Oct '24

https://www.itedgenews.africa/top-global-investors-and-founders-to-share-in… #THISISHOWWESHUTOCTOBERDOWN

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No data protection laws in Kenya: How Kenyan police, CA, and Safaricom use mobile phones to track, capture suspects
by Mwendwa Kivuva 31 Oct '24

31 Oct '24

The article from Nation reveals how Kenyan police have been using mobile phone data to track and capture suspects, raising significant privacy and human rights concerns. The investigation highlights several key issues: 1. Unrestricted Access to Call Data: Kenyan security agencies have had almost unrestricted access to mobile phone users’ call data records (CDRs) and location data. This access has been facilitated by a data management system embedded within Safaricom’s internal systems by a British software company, Neural Technologies. This system allows real-time access to call data, ostensibly for tracking suspects. 2. Privacy Violations and Legal Concerns: The investigation raises concerns about the violation of privacy rights and the potential misuse of CDRs in abductions and extrajudicial killings. Although Safaricom claims to protect customer data and only release it with a court order, evidence suggests that police can obtain this data without formal processes. 3. Irregularities in Data Provided to Courts: The article details instances where Safaricom has provided incomplete or falsified CDRs in legal cases involving disappearances or murders, potentially impeding justice. This includes discrepancies in location data in cases like the disappearance of Trevor Ndwiga Nyaga and the abduction of South Sudanese activists Samuel Dong Luk and Idri Aggrey. 4. Use of Location Data for Targeting Operations: The investigation found that police and intelligence agencies have used mobile phone location data for operations that sometimes lead to abductions and killings without due judicial process. This includes the use of predictive profiling tools developed by Neural Technologies, which can map individuals’ movements and associations, raising further human rights concerns. 5. International Implications: The article also touches on the involvement of international entities like Vodafone, which holds a significant stake in Safaricom, and the role of British intelligence in supporting Kenyan operations. Despite these connections, there is no suggestion that these companies are complicit in human rights violations. https://nation.africa/kenya/news/exclusive-how-kenyan-police-use-mobile-pho… Best Regards ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwendwa-kivuva

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Invitation to AI Townhall : Redefining AI Labour , Ensuring Fairness and Equity for Data Workers , 15th November 2024
by Alfred Ongere 31 Oct '24

31 Oct '24

Hello listers, For the second edition of the AI Townhall series, AI Kenya is thrilled to partner with the https://pulitzercenter.org/journalism, a global leader in journalism and public engagement on critical issues. This townhall aims to address vital questions around labor rights, mental well-being, and ethical practices in AI-driven industries, inspired by the journalistic work of Tatiana Dias and Billy Perrigo on AI's impact on workers. ✨ Why Attend? This townhall brings together data workers (data labelers, content moderators, transcribers), tech leaders, labor advocates, and policymakers to discuss fair labor practices, mental health, and the ethical responsibilities of AI companies. As our digital world expands, it’s essential to recognize and support the people behind it, who make our online experiences safe and effective. 🌍 Date: November 15, 2024 📍 Location: Parklands, Nairobi (Exact location to be shared with confirmed participant only) ⏰ Time: 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM Full event details and registration on https://bit.ly/dwaik We look forward to your participation in this important discussion! Regards, Alfred Ongere, Founder , Ai Kenya Managing director , Mind Intelligence Ltd

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Roselyn Spencer is second keynote for 11th Angel Fair Africa
by Eric Osiakwan 29 Oct '24

29 Oct '24

https://www.africa.com/roselyn-spencer-is-second-keynote-for-11th-angel-fai… Eric here

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African School of Governance launched - Business Daily
by Johnsey Kivoto 24 Oct '24

24 Oct '24

https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/sponsored/african-school-of-governan…

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Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to introduce a WhatsApp chatbot to generate tax invoices.
by Mwendwa Kivuva 22 Oct '24

22 Oct '24

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) plans to introduce a WhatsApp chatbot to help small traders generate electronic tax invoices. This initiative aims to enhance voluntary tax compliance among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by simplifying the tax invoicing process through the electronic tax invoice management system (eTIMS). The chatbot will allow traders to easily create tax invoices via WhatsApp, addressing issues of complexity and non-compliance that have plagued smaller businesses. Currently, only 18.1% of registered taxpayers have adopted eTIMS, with many smaller firms lacking the necessary technical infrastructure or understanding. The chatbot is expected to widen the tax base by facilitating compliance among traditionally hard-to-tax sectors. The KRA hopes this move will improve VAT collections and make it a leading revenue source. https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/kra-targets-small-traders-wi… Best Regards ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwendwa-kivuva

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Public Participation Bill, 2024
by Victor Kapiyo 21 Oct '24

21 Oct '24

Dear colleagues, The Office of the Attorney General is calling for views on the proposed Public Participation Bill, 2024. Please see below the call and the draft bill. Bill: https://www.statelaw.go.ke/the-public-participation-bill-2024/ Call: https://www.statelaw.go.ke/call-for-memoranda-for-legislative-proposals-on-… The deadline for submission is 30 October 2024. You can submit views directly or reply on this thread with any proposals that shall be compiled and submitted to the OAG. Victor

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[email protected]
by Diana Nyambura 21 Oct '24

21 Oct '24

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