Naivasha, Kenya (Daily Nile) — In response to the growing challenges facing Kenya’s digital ecosystem, more than 50 digital rights defenders, journalists, civil society actors, peacebuilders, and technology practitioners from across the country convened in Naivasha, Kenya, from May 7 to 9, for a three-day capacity-building workshop focused on safeguarding digital freedoms and online safety. The event was co-created and organized by UNESCO, Internews, and the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), under the auspices of two EU-funded initiatives: UNESCO’s Social Media 4 Peace (Phase II) and Internews’ KenSafeSpaces project.
Participants represented a diverse array of grassroots organizations and networks, including members of the National Coalition on Freedom of Expression and Content Moderation (FECoMo) and the KenSafeSpaces network, hailing from Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, and Nakuru. The workshop aimed to explore emerging threats to Kenya’s digital environment, with a particular focus on disinformation, hate speech, online harassment, and shrinking civic space. Sessions were curated to encourage critical reflection, collaborative problem-solving, and the development of rights-based solutions to promote digital safety while upholding freedom of expression.
Fostering Inclusive Digital Governance
UNESCO emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in governing digital platforms. “At UNESCO, we believe that building inclusive and secure digital spaces requires the participation of all key actors – from regulators and civil society to influencers and grassroots groups,” said John Okande, Programme Officer at UNESCO. “Only by working together can we create strategies that protect freedom of expression while addressing the spread of harmful content such as disinformation and hate speech.”
Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in hands-on sessions that tackled critical themes such as:
- Platform accountability and transparency
- Content moderation policies and practices
- Data protection and digital privacy
- Citizens’ role in shaping digital policy
- Emerging threats in the digital space
The training also provided a forum for reviewing and refining the Draft National Guidelines for Addressing Disinformation, Misinformation, and Hate Speech in Kenya, which are expected to inform national ICT policies and advocacy efforts by both the FECoMo and KenSafeSpaces coalitions.
Towards a Balanced Regulatory Framework
Victor Kapiyo, a Trustee at KICTANet, underscored the necessity of striking a delicate balance between digital platform regulation and the protection of fundamental human rights. “We must ensure that while platforms are held accountable for the content they host, we do not infringe on critical freedoms such as the right to privacy and expression,” he said. “A rights-based, balanced approach is essential for a sustainable and inclusive digital environment.”
Expert insights were shared by speakers from the Communications Authority of Kenya, National Cohesion and Integration Commission, Mozilla Foundation, Ushahidi, Build Up, and other key institutions. These contributions enriched participants’ understanding of policy trends, technological tools, and the complexities of content moderation and platform governance.
Inclusive Policymaking for a Resilient Digital Future
Rosemary Mwangi, representing the Communications Authority, highlighted the need for participatory and adaptive policymaking in the fast-changing digital space. “Digital governance frameworks must remain responsive and inclusive. Policymaking is not a one-time event but a dynamic process that must evolve with societal needs,” she noted. “Ensuring meaningful participation from all sectors is vital to crafting fair and effective laws that address the growing risks associated with harmful online content.”
A Renewed Commitment to Digital Advocacy
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment among FECoMo and KenSafeSpaces members to:
- Enhance joint advocacy and collaborative initiatives
- Improve mechanisms for reporting harmful content
- Amplify grassroots voices in digital policymaking
- Strengthen partnerships with regional and global digital rights networks
Abraham Mariita, Senior Program Officer at Internews, emphasized the long-term importance of maintaining this momentum. “The critical task ahead is ensuring that efforts to secure our digital spaces do not undermine the very rights we seek to protect. We must ask ourselves: How do we make the internet safer without sacrificing freedom?”
About the Projects and Partners
- Social Media 4 Peace: An EU-funded UNESCO initiative now in its second phase, aiming to enhance societal resilience against disinformation and hate speech online while promoting peaceful discourse and protecting digital freedoms.
- FECoMo: The National Coalition on Freedom of Expression and Content Moderation is a collaborative platform uniting civil society, academia, government, and tech actors to address online harms without compromising freedom of expression.
- KenSafeSpaces Project: A 30-month initiative supported by the EU and implemented by Internews in partnership with Internet Without Borders (IWB) and KICTANet. It seeks to empower Kenyan human rights organizations to champion a safe, inclusive, and democratic digital space. The project also partners with groups such as BAKE, Tribeless Youth, Mzalendo Trust, and Watoto Watch Network (WWN).
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