Hybrid Forum: 23 September 2021

Theme: “Internet United

  1. Call for Topics:
  2. 2021 Agenda and Working Programme (at the end of the page)
  3. Event Sponsorship
  4. Read 2020 Kenya IGF Report

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is an open and inclusive multi-stakeholder forum where public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance, such as the Internet’s sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development are discussed. The United Nations Secretary-General formally announced the establishment of the IGF in July 2006 and the first meeting was convened in October 2006.

The purpose of the IGF is to maximize the opportunity for open and inclusive dialogue and the exchange of ideas on Internet Governance (IG) related issues; create opportunities to share best practices and experiences; identify emerging issues and bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public; and contribute to capacity building for Internet governance. 

The event brings together stakeholders representing government, the private sector, civil society, the technical and academic community, media and the public in an informal setting for policy dialogue on Internet governance issues on an equal basis through an open and inclusive process. This type of cooperative engagement is usually referred to as the multistakeholder model of Internet Governance, which is one of the key features for the Internet’s success. This model is paramount to ensure that the Internet remains sustainable for economic and social development.

The forums are localised and their outcomes feed into each other from country to sub-regional then regional level finally culminating in a report that is presented at the global level. The outcomes of the country level (Kenya IGF) feed into the regional level (East Africa IGF), continental level (Africa IGF) and ultimately at the global level (IGF). Previously, Kenya hosted the East Africa IGF in 2008, 2009, 2012 and thereafter, the global IGF in 2011 in Nairobi. This year, the 16th Annual Global IGF Meeting convened by the United Nations, will be hosted by the Government of Poland and is scheduled to take place from 6 – 10 December in Katowice.

KICTAnet in partnership with Industry stakeholders, convenes and organizes the Kenya IGF. This has been the tradition since the 1st edition of the Kenya IGF, which was held in 2008. The Kenya IGF has been hosted and convened by KICTAnet in every successive year since then. KICTAnet works with partners and sponsors to make the event a success. The willingness of the various organizations to partner and support the event is an indication of their commitment to the development and growth of the internet in Kenya.

The main outcome of the Kenya IGF is to maximize opportunities for open and inclusive dialogue and the exchange of ideas on Internet Governance (IG) related issues. Others include:

  1. Creation of opportunities to share best practices and experiences; 
  2. Identification of emerging issues and bringing them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public; and,
  3. Contribution to capacity building for Internet governance.
  4. Bringing new voices into the Internet Governance Conversation. 
  5. Develop a common national position with key recommendations to feed to East Africa and Africa IGFs.

Kenya IGF 2021 Programme


September 23rd, 2021AgendaModerator
8:00 – 8:30 amArrival and RegistrationKICTANet MAG Team, Nzambi Kakusu
8:15 – 8:30 amWelcome and IntroductionsConference Moderator:
8:30 – 9:00 amOpening Remarks
Steve Chege, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer – Safaricom PLC

Alberto Cerda, Ford Foundation

Josephine Gauld, British Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya 
Grace Githaiga, Convenor, KICTANet
9:00 – 9:15 amKeynote Address
Mercy Wanjau, Ag. Director-General, Communications Authority of Kenya
9:15 – 9:20 amInterlude: Spots from event sponsors
9:20 – 10:15 amSession 1: High-Level Panel –  Emerging regulation of content, data, and consumer rights

Panel:
Jon Fanzun, Swiss Digital Foreign Policy
Kui Kinyanjui, Head of Regulatory and Public Policy at Safaricom PLC
Immaculate Kassait, Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC)
Patricia Muchiri, Communications Authority of Kenya
Mercy Ndegwa, Facebook
Moderator: Ali Hussein, Chair, KICTANet
10:15 – 10:30 amPlenary Session
10.30 – 10.35 amInterlude: Spots from event sponsors
10:35 – 11:20 amSession 2: Inclusion, Universal Access, and Meaningful Connectivity 

Panel:
Josephine Gauld, British Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya
Joel Karubiu, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC)
Josephine Miliza, Regional Coordinator at KICTANet, APC LOCNet
Mugambi Kiai, Regional Director, ARTICLE19 Eastern Africa
Moderator: Bob Ochieng ICANN

11:20 – 11:35 amPlenary session
11:35 – 11:40 pmInterlude: Spots from event sponsors
11:40 – 12:40 pm
Session 3: Trust, security, and stability of the internet

Panel:
Joseph Mathenge, Serianu Limited
Veronica Maina, Legal Analyst, National Cybercrime Coordination Centre (NC3)
Dr. Paula Musuva, Lecturer, USIU
Francis Sitati, KE-CIRT, Communications Authority of Kenya
Ben Roberts, Group Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies
Moderator: Mutheu Khimulu, Legal Specialist in Cyber security
12:40 – 1:10 pmPlenary Session
1:10 – 1:30 pmInterlude and Health BreakSpots from program sponsors
1:30 – 2:15 pmSession 4: Elections, Data and Technology

Panel
Mulle Musau, National Coordinator Election Observation Group (ELOG)
Tevin Mwenda, KICTANet Research Fellow
Bernard Mugendi, Kenya Human Rights Commission  
Fiona Asonga, CEO, Technology Service Providers of Kenya
Moderator: Stephanie Muchai
2:15 – 2:30 pmPlenary Session
Interlude: Spots from event sponsors
2:35 – 3:20 pmSession 5: Emerging Issues (e.g. 5G, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Tax, E-learning, Smart Cities, and FinTech)

Panel
Nickson Omondi, Digital Tax, KRA
Steve Kamuya, Director, Key Account Group, Huawei Kenya
Dr. Isaac Rutenberg, Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law (CIPIT), Strathmore Law School
Peninah Kimani, Chief Digital Officer, Longhorn Publishers
Mary Mwangi, CEO, Data Integrated
Stella Muhoro, Chief Manager, Business Development KONZA Technopolis
Moderator: Keith Andere
3:20 – 3:35 pmPlenary Session
3:35 – 3:40 pmInterlude: Spots from event sponsors
3:40 – 3:50 pmReport from Youth IGFTBC
3:50 – 4:10 pmActions Points and Way Forward
Rapporteurs Summary 
Lead Rapporteur – June Okal
4:10 – 4:30 pmKenya School of Internet Governance Award CeremonyKICTANet – Rosemary Kimwatu
4:30 – 4:40 pmClosing Session 
Mercy Ndegwa, Facebook
Vote of thanks 
KIGF MAG, KICTANet – Barrack Otieno
End of Event