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Fwd: [OTF-Talk] Job opportunities at Global Voices
by Wainaina Mungai 26 Feb '24

26 Feb '24

fYI ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Ivan Sigal <ivan(a)globalvoices.org> Date: Mon, Feb 26, 2024 at 1:23 PM Subject: [OTF-Talk] Job opportunities at Global Voices To: otf-talk(a)opentechfund.org <otf-talk(a)opentechfund.org> Dear OTF folk, Writing today to share the news that after 15+ years, I’ll I will be stepping aside as executive director of Global Voices (and apologies if you’ve seen this elsewhere). There never seems to be a good time for a change in leadership, but I believe that it is important to make space for new people and new ideas. I am excited to see what fresh eyes and hearts can bring to this role. It’s been an incredible honor to serve this community, and the values that Global Voices represents. We announced a search for a new executive director last week. Global Voices’ work cuts across several disciplines relevant to OTF: digital and human rights defense and safety, access to information, language justice, and internet research. It’s an exciting and challenging position for the right person. I’d greatly appreciate it if you could share the job announcement with anyone you think might fit the role. https://globalvoices.org/2024/02/20/global-voices-seeks-an-executive-direct… I’ll be in the ED role until we have established new leadership. This will likely take 4-6 months, and in that time I will continue to work to support the transition. Full announcements here: https://community.globalvoices.org/2024/02/a-time-of-transition/ https://globalvoices.org/2024/02/20/a-message-from-the-global-voices-board/ In addition, Global Voices is looking for an Administration and Operations Manager to join our team: https://globalvoices.org/2024/02/22/global-voices-seeks-an-administration-a… Thanks all for sharing, and if you think you might be a fit for either position, please apply! Ivan Ivan Sigal Global Voices Executive Director ivan(a)globalvoices.org l +1 202 361 2712 @ivonotes -- The OTF-Talk mailing list includes past and current projects, fellows, and community members. Posts shared here are discussed by the wider community and could be shared with public media. Please review the OTF Code of Conduct and OTF-Talk Guidance (links below). The Guidance provides details on the types of content meant for this mailing list, so you can engage effectively with the wider community. Code of Conduct: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15-FHgN_BJX5eOXX_UVSKTMz_2j9LQlDLup7-Kh3… Guidance: https://docs.google.com/document/d/174OvV_bznoh5QVSl4fKV_CB2SNZ6vaDY0PCksG2… Active Projects: monthly reports should be sent to otf-reports(a)opentech.fund (this list only includes OTF staff) ------------ You received this message because you subscribed to the Google Groups "OTF-Talk" --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "OTF-Talk" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to otf-talk+unsubscribe(a)opentech.fund. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/opentech.fund/d/msgid/otf-talk/08ECEC77-4214-45… <https://groups.google.com/a/opentech.fund/d/msgid/otf-talk/08ECEC77-4214-45…> . -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Georgia's List" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ga-list+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ga-list/CADZ8r1KxTo_HQ5C5zEFC3Jys-rC%2Boa… <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ga-list/CADZ8r1KxTo_HQ5C5zEFC3Jys-rC%2Boa…> .

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Applications for Datafication and Democracy Fund closes on February 29th, 2024
by Judith Ogutu 26 Feb '24

26 Feb '24

Dear Lister, Applications for the Datafication and Democracy Fund <https://paradigmhq.org/data-privacy-brasil-paradigm-initiative-and-aapti-in…> close on Thursday, February 29th, 2024. The call, which has been running since November 2023, was launched by *Data Privacy Brasil*, *Paradigm Initiative*, and *Aapti Institute.* The Fund will support non-governmental organisations in the Global South with active involvement in activities related to politics and the defence of digital rights. The selection process will be based on regional representation, with proposals from organisations that work with or are run by minority groups being considered. Please share the opportunity among your networks. Kind Regards Judith Ogutu Communications Manager [image: Logo] <https://paradigmhq.org/> Paradigm Initiative Nairobi 00100, Kenya m: +254721259193 e: judith.ogutu(a)paradigmhq.org www.paradigmhq.org [image: Facebook icon] <https://web.facebook.com/ParadigmHQ> [image: LinkedIn icon] <https://ng.linkedin.com/company/paradigmhq> [image: Twitter icon] <https://twitter.com/ParadigmHQ> [image: Youtube icon] <https://www.youtube.com/paradigmhq> [image: Instagram icon] <https://www.instagram.com/paradigmhq> [image: Banner] <https://www.codetwo.com/email-signatures/> The content of this email is confidential and intended for the recipient specified in message only. It is strictly forbidden to share any part of this message with any third party, without a written consent of the sender. If you received this message by mistake, please reply to this message and follow with its deletion, so that we can ensure such a mistake does not occur in the future.

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Auditor General raises several queries regarding e-Citizen portal
by Victor Kapiyo 22 Feb '24

22 Feb '24

The State has little control over the e-Citizen self-service and payment portal, Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu has said, warning that this could compromise accountability of the billions of shillings processed through the platform. Collections through the platform average Sh350 million daily, up from Sh50 million in the financial year ending June 2023. More than 19,000 public services are available on e-Citizen, of which 15,440 have been fully on-boarded. According to the OAG Report 2023 <https://www.oagkenya.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/AUDITOR-GENERALS-REPO…>, there are several findings on e-citizen some of which I have highlighted below: 1. The completeness and accuracy of the receivers of revenue receipts amounting to Kshs.15,570,013,245 could not be confirmed. 2. The completeness and accuracy of the bank balances of Kshs.611,179,132 could not be confirmed. 3. The completeness and accuracy of the prior year's balances of Kshs.146,426,357 could not be confirmed. 4. The adequacy and effectiveness of the current IT controls on E-Citizen may not guarantee the integrity of the data processed through the system. 5. The adequacy of internal controls over reconciliations and settlements through the E-Citizen Government Digital Payments Platform could not be confirmed. 6. The governance arrangements in support of the E-Citizen platform could not be confirmed. 7. Users may not have any rules and procedures to follow to minimize the risk of errors, fraud and the loss of data confidentiality, integrity and availability. 8. The Office is undertaking a special E-Citizen Government Digital Platform audit whose outcome is not yet out. 9. The outcome of the out-of-court negotiation between the Treasury and the vendor was not disclosed at the time of the audit. 10. The Management has not resolved the issues raised in the previous year's Report on Revenue Statements nor explained the failure to resolve them. The continued use and integration of services on e-citizen has made the portal one of such national importance. Yet, at a policy and institutional level, there seem to be some glaring gaps. I do hope the governance of e-citizen is one of the issues that has been tackled by the task force reviewing the ICT policy and legal framework. Read more: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/state-has-little-control-ove… Regards, *Victor Kapiyo* Partner | *Lawmark Partners LLP* *Nine Planet Apartments, Nairobi | **Web: www.lawmark.co.ke <http://www.lawmark.co.ke/> * ==================================================== *“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude” Zig Ziglar*

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ROUNDTABLE ON POLICY DISCUSSION ON AI IN KENYA
by nzambi kakusu 20 Feb '24

20 Feb '24

Dear Listers, Greetings from KICTANet! KICTANet will be hosting a Roundtable meeting on Policy Discussion on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Kenya on Thursday, 16 November 2023 from *08:00 am to 12:00 noon. *The objective of the roundtable is to provide a platform for dialogue and engagement on the concerns and opportunities arising from the use of artificial intelligence in Kenya and to identify priority policy actions and potential solutions to promote an enabling environment for AI in Kenya. Please take a look at the concept note and programme <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/policy-discussion-on-artificial-intelligence-in-…> for more details. KICTANet would like to extend the invitation to the listers for *10 slots* on a first come first served basis. To RSVP to the roundtable meeting, please email @nkakusu@kictanet.or.ke <nkakusu(a)kictanet.or.ke>. Warmly, Nzambi *jNzambiKakusu*

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AWS Community Day Call for sponsors
by Nelly Nyadzua 19 Feb '24

19 Feb '24

Dear Listers, Happy New Year! I trust this email finds you well. We are excited to let you know about the upcoming AWS Community Day in Kenya scheduled to take place on Saturday 13th April 2024. We offer three sponsorship tiers: Platinum, Gold, and Silver. Each tier comes with distinct benefits, providing sponsors with varied exposure and engagement opportunities. The Call for speakers document is attached below. We also have speaking opportunities where you can apply as a panelist, academic speaker, or technical Presenter. You can submit your proposal at the link below. Call for Speakers <https://sessionize.com/aws-community-day-kenya/> Regards, Nelly Nyadzua *Cybersecurity Consultant* Mobile: +254711357989

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Freenom settles $500 million Meta lawsuit and will exit domain business
by Barrack Otieno 18 Feb '24

18 Feb '24

Listers, Interesting Developements on the domain name Business front, more on this link <https://domainincite.com/29520-freenom-settles-500-million-meta-lawsuit-and…> Freenom today announced it has resolved the lawsuit brought by Meta Platforms, Inc. on confidential monetary and business Terms. Freenom recognizes Meta’s legitimate interest in enforcing its intellectual property rights and protecting its users from fraud and abuse. Freenom and its related companies have also independently decided to exit the domain name business, including the operation of registries. While Freenom winds down its domain name business, Freenom will treat the Meta family of companies as a trusted notifier and will also implement a block list to address future phishing, DNS abuse, and cybersquatting. Regards -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254733206359 Skype: barrack.otieno PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

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Should we regulate AI in Africa?
by Jennifer Kaberi 17 Feb '24

17 Feb '24

Hi Listers, I hope you are well. There has been a push to regulate AI in Kenya and Africa. But is this a good move, will it stifle innovation in Africa. Read the paper and let's have a chat about it. Typed by Thumb👍 -- http://www.mtotonews.com <http://www.mtotonews.com> We are an integrated information and media company that is leveraging on technology to improve the lives of children by making them visible. The core of our business is an approach that puts the best interests of the child first, while our DNA is child participation. DISCLAIMER: This message (and any files attached) contain confidential information and is intended only for the individual(s) named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete it from your system. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses. The sender therefore does not accept liability for any errors, omissions, or damage caused by virus, in the contents of this message, which arise as a result of e-mail transmission

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Stories of Kenyan Women Facing Online Gender-Based Violence
by David Indeje 16 Feb '24

16 Feb '24

Dear Listers, This collection of summaries, *"Narratives of Strength and Survival," *highlights the experiences of Kenyan women who have encountered online gender-based violence (OGBV) and their fight for justice and survival. These summaries are based on interviews conducted by Maryanne W. Waweru as part of KICTANet and APC's "Our Voices, Our Stories" (OVOF) project. *1. Mary Mwendwa: Hunted by Her Own Story* Award-winning journalist, Mary Mwendwa's experience, showcases the chilling reality of online harassment women face in the media. After publishing a story on struggling former boxers, she faced online attacks and threats, highlighting the dangers of digital spaces for journalists speaking out on sensitive topics. http://tinyurl.com/3dyne4tz *2. Living with HIV and Online Hate* This story explores the double burden faced by women living with HIV who encounter online hate speech and stigmatization. The article sheds light on the challenges of combating online discrimination and promoting inclusivity for marginalized communities. http://tinyurl.com/ntzc4682 *3. Wanjiku Thiga's Battleground: The 2022 Kenyan Elections* Wanjiku Thiga, a politician and human rights activist, details her experience of online attacks and disinformation campaigns during the 2022 Kenyan elections. This story underscores the weaponization of digital platforms for political manipulation and the impact on women candidates. http://tinyurl.com/2p92cr9s *4. The Price of Visibility: A Queer Activist's Battle with Online Trolls* Scarlet, a queer woman activist based in Nairobi, and her experiences with online harassment and abuse. Through interviews with Scarlet, the article sheds light on The impact of social media visibility on queer activists and; the Psychological costs of online harassment, and the need for supportive communities and platforms http://tinyurl.com/mswvwpdm These stories paint a picture of the diverse challenges faced by Kenyan women online, ranging from targeted harassment to broader societal issues like HIV stigma and political manipulation. Reading these stories is crucial to understanding the lived experiences of OGBV and advocating for solutions to create a safer and more inclusive online environment for all. -- *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje* *KICTANet Communications *_____________________________________ +254 (0) 711 385 945 | +254 (0) 734 024 856 KICTANet portals KICTANet.or.ke <https://kictanet.or.ke/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/kictanet> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/18428106/admin/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/>

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Launch of the #UtuNaUzalendoKE Podcast
by Mutemi wa Kiama 13 Feb '24

13 Feb '24

Greetings all, I know this will be of interest to many here *Will the real Njeri stand up?* Launching tomorrow on Valentine's Day 2024 at 2:30 pm, the #UtuNaUzalendoKE Podcast brings you the first part of a candid conversation with *Njeri Mwangi.* Beyond being a wife and partner to Activist *Boniface Mwangi*, Njeri is many other things. Tune in as she delves into these multiple identities in a fascinating conversation with *Mwalimu Mutemi wa Kiama.* https://youtu.be/VUwXEW_B_dA?si=brW8eOy5gfCK1T7D Welcome to the "*Utu Na Uzalendo" Podcast*, where we transcend the ordinary and venture into the heart of true Kenyan narratives, unearthing the real but untold human stories of the people who shape our societies quietly. This Podcast series aims to amplify changemakers we at *Mzalendo Halisi Foundation* perceive as *Wazalendo* embodying the true values and philosophies of Utu Na Uzalendo. *I am because we are.* These are the Kenyans who are challenging the dominant Kenyan leadership vernaculars every day by creating and advancing new ways of showing up as active citizens and leaders. These are Kenyans who "wamejituma", because of a sense of duty and empathy and a desire to advance the larger Common Good of our society and humanity out of a sense of duty. We aim, in the process, to hopefully inform and catalyze alternative imaginations of an active citizenry that embodies and exemplifies the *Utu Philosophy* (I am because we are) and a leadership espousing a different set of values that focuses more on service and giving to others rather than taking from fellow citizenry. Warm regards, Mutemi wa Kiama Co-Chair, Africans Rising Movement Coordinating Collective Team Captain, This Is Africa: https://thisisafrica.me Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Public Intellectual, Social Justice & Social Accountability Entrepreneur, Strategic Planning & Organizational Development Facilitator, Strategic Communications, Movement Building Coach, Human Rights Defender, #DevolutionIsRevolution Champion. Mzalendo Halisi Foundation (MHF) https://mzalendohalisi.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwin-mutemi-wa-kiama-1aa51615/ https://twitter.com/WanjikuRevolt Ordinary, fearless Kenyans https://twitter.com/MutemiWaKiama http://www.scribd.com/wmkenya "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead

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Why IT experts want State to reject the new robotics bill
by Victor Kapiyo 12 Feb '24

12 Feb '24

Information Technology experts have asked Parliament to reject the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Society Bill, 2023 on grounds that it has a lot of glaring gaps. The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) says the Bill will precipitate a national disaster if it is enacted in its current form. The experts told the National Assembly’s Communication, Information, and Innovation (CII) committee that stakeholders in the AI and Robotics space were not involved at any stage before coming up with the Bill. Read more: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/why-it-experts-want-state-to…

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