By Neema Mujesia
What does it take to build lasting peace in a world where conflict is no longer confined to the battlefield, but increasingly fought online?
As someone deeply invested in peacebuilding, I have witnessed how thousands of grassroots peacebuilders, here in Kenya and across the globe, work tirelessly to ensure sustainable peace. But the digital age has reshaped the landscape. Technology now serves as both a bridge and a battleground, connecting communities while also amplifying division.
To build real, lasting peace today, we must confront both physical and digital threats. Online conflict is not a side issue, it’s central to modern peacebuilding.
Peace Connect: A Global Call to Address Digital Conflict
At Peace Connect, Peace Direct’s first global summit held in Kenya, 540 peacebuilders from 82 countries gathered to reimagine peacebuilding in the digital era. The message was clear: digital conflict must be addressed head-on.
Sessions on digital ceasefire strategies revealed how online hostilities often fuel offline violence. Practical digital agreements, akin to ceasefires, are essential to contain this spread. Lasting peace depends on integrating digital solutions into our core strategies.
Kenya’s Peacebuilders: Defending Harmony in the Digital Arena
Kenya knows the volatile mix of technology and conflict all too well. Social media has been a flashpoint during election cycles, spreading misinformation and inciting unrest. Yet, it’s also where courageous peacebuilders step in, countering hate speech, promoting dialogue, and rebuilding trust.
Thousands of peacebuilders are active in neighborhoods, counties, and online spaces, working from the ground up. During the summit, Allan Cheboi, Data and Digital Technology (DigiTech) Lead Build Up, captured the urgency:
“We don’t want to see discrimination and persecution offline simply replicated online.”
This resonates deeply. In Kenya, women peacebuilders face relentless online harassment. It’s a digital battlefield that’s often ignored, but its impact is real and corrosive.
The Gendered Face of Digital Violence
One story that stayed with me was of a woman peace builder in Gambia, targeted by online attacks that AI algorithms could amplify thousands of times. This isn’t just digital noise, it’s silencing.
Digital violence disproportionately affects women, especially those in leadership. In Kenya, gender-based violence has extended into the online realm, with devastating consequences. If digital ceasefires are to be effective, they must confront these gendered harms directly.
AI for Peace: Context-Aware Tools That Empower
What gave me hope was hearing about AI tools like Phoenix, a no-code platform enabling local peace builders to analyze social media and detect hate speech tailored to their context.
Brett Solomon, Berkley Human Rights Center, explained how they train AI models to understand the unique histories and dynamics of places like Kenya. This is the kind of tech we need: built for us, by us, not generic, one-size-fits-all solutions.
Imagine identifying hate speech in real-time, or engaging youth in meaningful digital dialogue that fosters understanding. That’s the promise AI holds for peacebuilding.
Internet Shutdowns and Surveillance: A Double-Edged Sword
But not all tech interventions are hopeful. Kenya, like many nations, has resorted to internet shutdowns during elections or unrest, intended to curb violence.
Yet, as Allan noted, when physical violence subsides, digital violence, especially against women, can surge. Shutdowns risk silencing critical voices and obstructing peace efforts. We must strike a careful balance between security and open communication.
Kenya’s Cybercrime Law: Progress or Pitfall?
This tension is front and center with Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2024. The law introduces tougher penalties for online abuse and cyber threats, a potential shield for vulnerable peacebuilders.
However, concerns remain: could strict enforcement stifle legitimate dissent and civic dialogue? These are vital ingredients for democracy and peace. As someone who cares deeply about Kenya’s future, I believe we must get this balance right. Digital safety and digital rights must go hand in hand.
Peacebuilding in the Age of Algorithms
Peacebuilding today is not just about what happens in villages or community halls, it’s about what happens on our phones, in our social networks, and inside the algorithms shaping our conversations.
Kenya has a unique opportunity to lead by blending technology with local wisdom. We can build digital peace that supports real-world harmony. And I’m proud to be part of this journey.