KICTANet Week’s Recap (Feb 14)

KICTANet Weekly Roundup: Top Stories from Feb 10–14

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Greetings Listers,

We hope the week has been an exciting and interesting one. This week,
aligned with our core pillars, our initiatives focused on: online safety
and combating misinformation at the intersection of digital policy and
climate justice. We remain committed to fostering informed discussions and
promoting a safer, more inclusive online experience for all.

This week highlights our work on Safer Internet Day, World Radio Day, and
other important initiatives. Read on for a summary of our recent articles:

Our Initiatives

Broadcast Buzz: KICTANet Featured Across the Globe.

Cyberbullying and Online Safety.
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KICTANet’s appearance on NTV’s “Fixing the Nation” program emphasised the
growing concern about cyberbullying and the importance of online safety.

The discussion highlighted the need for proactive measures to protect
individuals, particularly children, from online harassment and abuse.
Click here to read more
<www.kictanet.or.ke/cyberbullying-and-online-safety-kictanet-on-ntvs-fixing-the-nation/>

Balancing Innovation and Data Sovereignty in Kenya.
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We had a session on CNBC Africa where we explored the delicate balance
between fostering innovation and protecting data sovereignty in Kenya. We
continue to examine policy considerations and practical strategies needed
to ensure responsible data
Click here to read more
<www.kictanet.or.ke/cyberbullying-and-online-safety-kictanet-on-ntvs-fixing-the-nation/>

Powering Progress: A Snapshot of Our Ongoing Projects

Strengthening Digital Communities.
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Funded by the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme, KICTANet will
bridge the digital divide in Kenya’s Mandera and Busia counties. Aligned
with UK and Kenyan digital strategies and SDGs 4 and 5, it will train
10,000 community digital champions to reach 500,000 citizens, supporting
Kenya’s goal of 20 million digitally literate citizens by 2027.
Click here to read more
<www.kictanet.or.ke/strengthening-digital-communities-faqs/>

In the Pipeline: Recent Submissions
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Our memorandum prioritizes digital infrastructure, cybersecurity,
affordable access, and digital skills. We recommend grants for last-mile
internet, completing the Digital Superhighway, and local connectivity. For
cybersecurity: fund threat detection, capacity building, and awareness.
Support device subsidies, lower internet fees, community networks, digital
literacy, and ICT upgrades in TVETs/universities.
Click here to download <www.kictanet.or.ke/?mdocs-file=51070>

>From Screens to Impact: Highlights from Thought-Provoking Webinars

Love in the Digital Age – Navigating Online Dating Risks & Safety
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Missed KICTANet’s “Love in the Digital Age ” webinar?

We explored Kenya’s digital dating scene—risks like catfishing, scams, deep
fakes, & AI in romance

KICTANet shares real stories, challenges, and safety tips.
Click here to watch

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We hosted a webinar that shared the complex challenge of online
radicalization, exacerbated by the spread of disinformation.

The discussion explored strategies for countering harmful narratives and
promoting critical thinking skills to build resilience against online
manipulation.
Click here to read more <tinyurl.com/mr368xze>
Click here to watch

On the Global Stage: Top Stories.
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The AI Summit in Paris highlighted AI expansion and innovation, with France
emerging as a key hub. Discussions focused on deregulation in Europe, €109B
pledged by France and €50B by the EU, and a partial global AI strategy
signed by many, excluding the US and UK. AI’s impact on work was noted,
with the Global South seen as embracing AI faster than wealthier nations.
Click here to read more <x.com/honkabogo/status/1889740661630357589>

Worldwide Calendar of Key Events.

World Radio Day.
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Bridging Digital Policy and Climate Justice: KICTANet celebrated World
Radio Day by exploring the powerful role radio plays in connecting
communities and fostering dialogue.

In line with this year’s theme “Radio and climate change, our focus
highlighted the intersection of digital policy and climate justice,
recognizing radio’s ability to disseminate crucial information and empower
local action on climate change.

Click here to read more
<www.kictanet.or.ke/world-radio-day-bridging-digital-policy-and-climate-justice/>

Safer Internet Day.
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A Call for Shared Responsibility: KICTANet joined the global community in
observing Safer Internet Day, emphasising the importance of shared
responsibility in creating a safer online environment.

Our call to action
<www.kictanet.or.ke/safer-internet-day-a-call-for-shared-responsibility/>
highlights the need for collaboration among stakeholders, including
individuals, families, educators, and policymakers.
Click here to read more
<www.kictanet.or.ke/celebrating-safer-internet-day-2025-together-for-a-better-online-world/>

Save The Dates: Big Events Just Around the Corner.

Rights Con 25 Taipei In- Person and Online
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The 13th edition of RightsCon will be held in Taipei and online from
February 24-27, 2025. KICTANet will host a session titled “Mapping and
Mitigating Online Gender-Based Violence in Africa: Insights from KICTANet’s
OGBV Map.” This session will share findings from KICTANet’s ongoing
research documenting the prevalence and impact of online gender-based
violence (OGBV) in Kenya. This research is essential for understanding the
scope of the problem, informing effective policy interventions, and raising
public awareness.

Click here to read more
<www.kictanet.or.ke/world-radio-day-bridging-digital-policy-and-climate-justice/>

Africa Tech Policy Summit – May 12-16, 2025 in Nairobi.
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Join KICTANet for the inaugural Africa Tech Policy Summit, a landmark event
convening policymakers, private sector leaders, academia, civil society,
and tech startups from across the continent. This summit, taking place
daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, will focus on harmonizing tech policies,
exploring emerging technologies, and fostering multi-stakeholder
engagement. Featured
Sub-Events include:

–

18th Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KeIGF): The KeIGF will explore
“Tech for human development: Policy, Innovation and Inclusive Governance.”
This year’s event will also feature Kenya School of Internet
Governance(KeSIG) , Youth and Children’s IGFs.
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East Africa Internet Governance Forum: This regional forum will
facilitate knowledge exchange and best practice sharing among East African
stakeholders.

The Africa Tech Policy Summit aims to generate actionable recommendations
for harmonizing tech policies across Africa, foster partnerships, and
identify pathways for supporting innovation and inclusive digital
transformation.

Click here to read more <kigf.or.ke/>

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<twitter.com/KICTANet?t=KcY1bMCM2gbWwDe6B21mXw&s=09>[image:
LinkedIn] <www.linkedin.com/company/kictanet/>[image: Facebook]
<www.facebook.com/KICTANet?mibextid=ZbWKwL>[image: YouTube]
<www.youtube.com/@kictanet8886>[image: Link]
<www.kictanet.or.ke/>

As a multistakeholder think tank, KICTANet drives policy discussions aimed
at fortifying Kenya’s digital landscape against emerging cyber threats
through advocacy efforts involving public awareness campaigns and
stakeholder engagement.

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Summary by: Neema Mujesia and David Indeje, Communications Team at KICTANet