KICTANet will hold an in-person training in Mombasa to empower vulnerable groups—women, human rights defenders, and journalists—with skills in data protection and cyber hygiene.
This initiative, funded by GIZ, advances KICTANet’s mission to strengthen digital advocacy and promote inclusive digital spaces across Kenya.
The training addresses pressing challenges like online gender-based violence (OGBV), arbitrary surveillance, and data misuse, which disproportionately harm marginalized communities.
KICTANet’s 2022 policy brief, Data Protection and Privacy from a Gender Perspective, and its Unmasking the Trolls report highlight Mombasa as a hotspot for OGBV, underscoring the urgency of this intervention.
Cherie Oyier, Women’s Digital Rights Programs Officer, KICTANet, stated:
“Equipping women and marginalized groups with digital safety skills is essential for fostering equality and empowerment online, driving socio-economic and political progress.”
The program will train 40 participants to navigate Kenya’s data protection laws, adopt robust cyber hygiene practices, and advocate for safer digital environments. Interactive sessions, including presentations, group discussions, and plenaries, will encourage knowledge sharing and practical learning.
Kenya’s legal framework, including the Data Protection Act No. 24 of 2019 and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act No. 5 of 2018, provides strong protections for data privacy and cybersecurity. Yet, awareness and capacity gaps persist among vulnerable populations.
This training aims to close these gaps, empowering participants to protect their digital rights.
KICTANet’s broader advocacy strategy leverages digital platforms—through active social media engagement, blogs, podcasts, and newsletters—to amplify ICT policy discussions.
Building on successful initiatives like prior training in Machakos, this Mombasa event equips civil society with tools for strategic technology use and digital storytelling to navigate complex online spaces safely.
By fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration with government, civil society, academia, and industry, KICTANet drives systemic change toward a democratic, safe, and inclusive digital Kenya.