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Call for 2025 KIGF MAG Volunteers
by Liz Orembo 05 Feb '25

05 Feb '25

Greetings listers and Happy New Year! KICTANet wishes to invite volunteers from the different stakeholder groups to assist in the preparation of the Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KIGF) 2024. The Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KIGF) is an annual meeting that brings together various stakeholder groups to dialogue on ICT and Internet policy. The Steering Team otherwise known as the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) role is to assist in convening the Kenya IGF by preparing the … [View More]

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Kenyans Unhappy with CA Complaints Handling
by Victor Kapiyo 05 Feb '25

05 Feb '25

According to a recent survey, over 70 percent of Kenyans who have lodged complaints with the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) say they're dissatisfied with how the sector regulator responded to and handled their issues, pointing to low quality service at the State agency. The customer satisfaction survey report published by CA reveals that the complaints handling process at the agency is one of its most dissatisfactorv functions. Read more: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/… [View More]

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Save The Date: Exclusive Webinar on Surveillance & Counter-Terrorism
by Neema Mujesia 04 Feb '25

04 Feb '25

Dear Listers, [image: Webinar 1 - Changedpng.png] We invite you to an insightful webinar in partnership with *The Centre For Human Rights and Policy Studies *(CHRIPS) on *"The Nexus Between Disinformation, Radicalization, and Violent Extremism."* This session will explore the role of technology in shaping these challenges and discuss critical solutions. 📅 *Date:* 12th Feb 2024 ⏰ *Time:* 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EAT 📍 *Register here:* https://ow.ly/hvGJ50UT9fu *Our expert panel:* 🔹 Dr. Halkano … [View More]

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Tracking OGBV in Africa – AI Trolling Dominates Week 1
by Florence Awino 03 Feb '25

03 Feb '25

Listers, KICTANet launched the OGBV Tracker <https://ogbv.kictanet.or.ke/map> to document and analyse online gender-based violence (OGBV) across Africa. In its first week, AI-generated trolling emerged as a dominant trend, particularly targeting politicians through manipulated images and deepfake content. We discuss why this is currently unique to Kenya in our latest update: https://www.kictanet.or.ke/tracking-online-gender-based-violence-in-africa-… You can also be part of the … [View More]

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KICTANet Newsletter: Shaping the Future of Digital Rights in Kenya
by David Indeje 03 Feb '25

03 Feb '25

Dear Listers, Here are some of the exciting projects we're working on at KICTANet this year! - *Bridging the digital divide:* We' continuing to empower communities in Busia and Mandera counties through our digital inclusion program, ensuring access to technology and digital skills for all. - *Equipping human rights CSOs:* We are developing a training program to equip human rights organizations with the tools and knowledge they need to effectively advocate for digital rights. … [View More]

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KICTANet Driving Digital Rights and AI Governance in Kenya
by David Indeje 31 Jan '25

31 Jan '25

Dear Listers, Greetings. This is a summary of recent key events undertaken by KICTANet, including a validation meeting for a needs assessment and curriculum for Human Rights Civil Society Organizations (HR-CSOs), participation in the Annual Data Privacy Conference 2025 in Eldoret, and a workshop on AI Statement of Principles. Additionally, the handover of 150 computers to Mandera County by the UK Government and KICTANet. *Key Events* - *Validation Meeting on Needs Assessment and … [View More]Curriculum for HR-CSOs <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/kenya-urgent-call-for-stronger-digital-rights-co…>:* This virtual meeting focused on identifying critical capacity-building needs for HR-CSOs to effectively advocate for digital rights. Key findings will inform the development of a tailored training curriculum to equip HR-CSOs with the necessary skills and knowledge. - *Annual Data Privacy Conference in Eldoret: <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/celebrating-data-privacy-insights-from-the-annua…>* This conference brought together key stakeholders to discuss and address critical data privacy concerns in Kenya, emphasizing the importance of public awareness, stakeholder collaboration, and strengthening the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. If you missed our statement to mark the day, here it is. <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/kictanet-celebrates-data-privacy-day-2025-safegu…> - *AI Statement of Principles Workshop: <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/kenya-emerges-as-a-leader-in-responsible-ai-deve…>* This workshop <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/shaping-the-future-of-ai-in-kenya/> focused on refining Kenya's approach to AI governance, ensuring ethical, safe, and inclusive AI development. Key outcomes include the development of ethical guidelines, addressing algorithmic biases, and exploring the role of AI in driving economic development and social equity in Africa. - *Handover of 150 computers to Mandera County by the UK Government and KICTANet. <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/uk-government-kictanet-empowers-mandera-with-150…>* This initiative, under the UK’s Digital Access Programme and the Strengthening Digital Communities Project, aims to bridge the digital divide and empower local communities in Mandera County. The computers will provide critical access to technology and information for youth, women, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens, contributing to Kenya's vision of a digitally empowered nation. The 150 computers, equipped with accessibility features and assistive software, will be strategically distributed to digital hubs across the county, ensuring equitable access to all. - Join our programme to become a community digital champion in Busia and Mandera under the Strengthening Digital Communities Project that aims to improve digital skills and access in the country. Here are the application links: Busia <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdodoIZaPgWef04rMHcStjneaN40F-U4cW…> and Mandera <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9hQcXzyt5Arqy8aY8pHSE3UmqCTj3evx…> . These events demonstrate KICTANet's commitment to advancing digital rights, data protection, and responsible AI governance in Kenya. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, conducting research, and developing targeted training programs, KICTANet is empowering civil society organizations and contributing to a more inclusive and equitable digital future for all Kenyans. -- *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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Gov’t wants all cybercafés fitted with CCTV surveillance, users identified
by Victor Kapiyo 30 Jan '25

30 Jan '25

The government seeks to license all internet cafés in Kenya afresh and introduce new controls in what it says are efforts to streamline regulation and spur the growth of the local ICT sector. Read more: https://www.citizen.digital/tech/govt-wants-all-cybercafes-fitted-with-cctv… What do you think?

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What is DeepSeek and why is it disrupting the AI sector?
by Victor Kapiyo 29 Jan '25

29 Jan '25

Chinese startup DeepSeek's launch of its latest AI models, which it says are on a par or better than industry-leading models in the United States at a fraction of the cost, is threatening to upset the technology world order. The company has attracted attention in global AI circles after writing in a paper last month that the training of DeepSeek-V3 required less than $6 million worth of computing power from Nvidia H800 chips. DeepSeek's AI Assistant, powered by DeepSeek-V3, has overtaken … [View More]

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Email
by Kelvin Kamau 28 Jan '25

28 Jan '25

my email: zipapakelvin909(a)gmail.com *Regards,* *Macharia Kelvin K.* *Mobile: 0720103404/ 0740366728* *Water Resources Authority - Rift Valley Basin Area* *R. ICT officer / DBO : // Cyber Security Analyst Eng.*

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New Starlink POP to Improve Latency and Capacity
by Victor Kapiyo 27 Jan '25

27 Jan '25

Dear Listers, Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service, is significantly improving latency for users in Africa by routing them through a new "point of presence" (POP) in Nairobi, Kenya, reducing latency from 100-200ms to around 30ms. The POPs connect the Starlink satellite network to terrestrial internet infrastructure and are crucial for enhancing both capacity and latency; the closer a user is to a POP, the faster their connection speed. Currently, Starlink operates 37 POPs globally, … [View More]

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