What a remarkable journey it was to witness brilliant ideas transform and morph from a mere thought into tangible, actionable solutions! This incredible process unfolded at the KenSafeSpace Policy Hackathon, the closing event of the week-long KenSafeSpace-SM4P Phase II workshop at the Sarova White Sands Hotel in Mombasa, Kenya.
A Nationwide Convergence of Minds
The policy hackathon wasn’t just about competition; it was a melting pot of diverse perspectives and ideas. Fifteen teams from nearly every corner of Kenya, with backgrounds as varied as performing arts, media, and digital advocacy, came together. A colorful tapestry of contestants united by a shared purpose: to promote a safe, inclusive, and open digital ecosystem in Kenya, a core tenet of KICTANet's Mission, and its Kenya Safe and Inclusive Space (KenSafeSpace) project. Their collective goal was to strengthen collaboration, co-create policy solutions for digital challenges, and develop model digital policies that align with human rights standards.
The hackathon focused on three critical themes:
- combating online harassment and promoting digital safety,
- fostering safe and inclusive civic digital spaces, and
- combating electoral misinformation and disinformation .
The Moment of Truth
After a series of mentored, fast-paced, timed presentations, the air was thick with anticipation. It was a moment of truth, where 15 teams showcased their feasible, impactful, and inclusive policy solutions. Out of these impressive groups, a three-judge panel made a unanimous decision, naming three teams as the overall winners.
Dr. Millicent announcing the winners during the KenSafeSpace policy hackathon in Mombasa
The Y+Kenya (National Network of Young People Living With and Affected by HIV) secured the second runner-up position. Their innovative proposal aimed to weave online harm mitigation into HIV/AIDS prevention, providing a toolkit with practical resources to combat digital risks while safeguarding the health of young people.
Mr. Abraham Mariita awarding Y+Kenya, the 2nd runners-up team, during the KenSafeSpace policy hackathon in Mombasa
Taking the first runner-up spot was the Seya Youth Organization. They proposed creating a Civic Digital Inclusion Policy Lab, a platform designed to bring together youth with disabilities and policymakers. This initiative was a direct response to the lack of localized, inclusive policies and the shrinking digital civic space in Kenya, which is increasingly plagued by online toxicity and harassment.
Dr. Grace awarding Seya Youth Organization, the 1st runners-up team during the KenSafeSpace policy hackathon in Mombasa.
The top prize went to the Policy Action Initiative, who were crowned the overall winners. Their impactful solution, dubbed NetSafi, involves establishing Youth Digital Watch Cells in Mombasa, Kilifi, and Lamu counties. This brilliant idea was born from the need to counter the rise of online misinformation on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp and to address policy gaps in existing laws like the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.
Mr John Okande awarding Policy Action Initiative, the winning team during the KenSafeSpace policy hackathon in Mombasa.
What’s Next for the Winners?
The winning teams have been awarded seed grants to bring their innovative projects to life. For the next three months, they will be mentored and guided by experts from KICTANet and Internews, ensuring their solutions are effectively implemented and actualized, just like the winners from the first round of the hackathon.
To all the participants, we say “Hongera sana!”. Your contributions were invaluable. Even those who didn’t win a prize gained something far more lasting: experience, networking opportunities, and a broadened resilience that will fuel their future work in the digital rights space.
This policy hackathon was a true testament to the fact that every idea, no matter the outcome, has the power to drive positive change.