‘Tech for human development: Policy, Innovation and Inclusive Governance


Introduction

The Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KeIGF) is a national Internet governance initiative that stems from the global Internet Governance Forum (IGF). Both are open and inclusive multi-stakeholder platforms, in their respective scopes, for discussing public policy issues related to internet governance, including its security, stability, and development. 

Established by the UN Secretary-General in 2006, the IGF fosters open dialogue, shares best practices, identifies emerging issues, and supports capacity building in internet governance. The event brings together representatives from government, private sector, civil society, academia, media, and the technical community to engage in policy discussions on an equal footing. This collaborative “multistakeholder” model is key to the internet’s continued growth and success.

IGF outcomes progress from local to global levels, with national forums like Kenya IGF feeding into regional (East Africa IGF), continental (Africa IGF), and global IGF discussions. Kenya previously hosted the East Africa IGF in 2009 and the global IGF in 2011 in Nairobi.

Every year, the KIGF brings together around 300 industry stakeholders representing the government.  KICTANet has convened the Kenya IGF every successive year since 2008 in partnership with industry stakeholders, and this year commemorates the 18th Edition. The outcomes of the Kenya IGF will feed into the African IGF and Global IGF later this year. See the Kenya IGF 2024 Report. Alongside the national IGF, a youth IGF as well as a Children’ IGF shall be convened during the week.

The Kenya IGF theme is ‘Tech for human development: Policy, Innovation and Inclusive Governance’. This theme is aligned with the spirit of the Kenyan constitution which puts inclusive governance, equality, representation and public participation at the centre of Kenyan values. It also aligns with Africa’s efforts on digital transformation through inter African digital trade and an African cohesion to foster tech and human development. 

Working Programme

TimeSession Agenda /PanelSession Agenda/ Panel
08:00–08:15Arrival and RegistrationNeema Mujesia (Lead), MAG Team, Volunteers
08:15–08:30Welcome and IntroductionsConference Moderator
Ian Muiruri
08:30–08:45Opening and Welcome Remarks
Dr. Grace Githaiga, CEO, KICTANet
Ali Hussein, Chairperson, KICTANet
Charles Juma, Country Lead, UKAID/DAP
Moderator: Conference Moderator
08:45–09:00
9:00–10:15Session 1 – High-Level Discussion: Tech for Human Development: Policy, Innovation and Inclusive Governance.

This session aims to discuss how Kenya can leverage technology to advance human development, focusing on policy frameworks, local innovation, and inclusive governance to address the country’s unique opportunities and challenges. 

Panelists:
Fred Waithaka, Chief Corporate Affairs, Safaricom
Dr. Wairagala Wakabi, CIPESA
Martin Mirero, Director – ICT, Communications Authority
Charles Juma, Country Lead, UK- Digital Access Program
Moderator: Dr. Grace Githaiga
10:15–10:45Plenary Q&A Session
 Interlude: Spots from event sponsors
10:45–11:15Tea Break 
11:15–12:45Session 2 – Breakout (participants chose the following parallel events)
Session 2 A –  Scaling Local Innovations: Building Resilient Tech Ecosystems for Economic and Social Transformation 
Venue: Main plenary hall
Session 2 B – Shaping Kenya’s Digital Future: Harmonising Policies for Innovation, Rights, and Secure Digital Governance 
Venue: Ballroom 2
Synopsis: Kenya’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)—anchored in systems like the e-Citizen platform, Maisha Namba, digital payments and robust ICT networks—has catalyzed remarkable gains in service delivery and financial inclusion. Critical gaps in interoperability, citizen trust, innovation and geographic equity. 
Also, funding for local startups has contracted, highlighting a financing cliff that hinders scale even as over 97 percent of Kenyan tech ventures remain concentrated in Nairobi. Further, marginalized groups including women, youth, persons with disabilities and rural communities continue to be disproportionately excluded from digital opportunities and services. 
This session aims to discuss how Kenya can scale local innovations to build resilient tech ecosystems that drive economic and social transformation, with a particular focus on strengthening human-centric digital public infrastructure; including digital ID, the e-Citizen platform, and e-Governance; and also enhancing resilience and promoting inclusive social progress across the country.

Moderator: Nekesa Were

Panelists:
Andrew Lewela, CEO, KeNIC
Christine Kitale, Dep. Chair, AfIP  Mercy Kimalat, CEO, Association of Startups (ASEK)
David Omwoyo, Chief Executive Officer of the Media Council of Kenya
Synopsis: Kenya stands at a pivotal moment to shape its digital future by harmonising policies that foster innovation, protect rights, and ensure secure governance through multistakeholder engagement and international cooperation. The multi-stakeholder approach underpins effective Internet governance by bringing together diverse groups to co-create policy frameworks that balance economic growth with human rights protections. 
The upcoming WSIS+20 review offers a unique opportunity to evaluate progress on Action Lines and to realign national strategies with global best practices. Likewise, preventing Internet fragmentation requires adherence to open, interoperable technical standards and policy coherence across borders. 
This session aims to discuss how Kenya can leverage multistakeholder approaches and international cooperation to promote tech policies to ensure effective internet governance, drive innovation, safeguard digital rights, prevent internet fragmentation and advancing inclusive growth, in light of emerging developments e.g. WSIS +20 review.

Moderator: Jane Muhia, Oxfam

Panelists: 
Bridget Andere, Access Now Joseph Kihanya, KICTANet
Liz Orembo, Research ICT Africa & MAG Chair
Leonida Mutuku, LDRI

12:45–13:45Lunch Break
Interlude: Spots from event sponsors
Session 3 – Breakout
13:45–15:30Session 3 A:, Online Information Integrity, Security Safety, and Trust
Venue: Main plenary hall
Session 3 B: Beyond Connectivity: Advancing Digital Inclusion and Affordability for All 
Venue: Ballroom 2
Synopsis: Globally, stakeholders are grappling with diverse approaches to combat disinformation and hate speech, ensuring information integrity, online safety and upholding digital rights on online platforms. Likewise, increasing internet usage and digitalisation has increased vulnerability to data breaches, coordinated cyber attacks and crimes, costing billions of shillings. Both government and private sector services have been disrupted, underscoring critical resilience gaps.
This session focuses on ensuring the security, stability, and trustworthiness of the online environment, including addressing information integrity, combating cyber threats, ensuring online safety, promoting digital rights and building resilience, trust and confidence in the information ecosystem.

Moderator: Abraham Mariita, Internews


Panelists:
Gbenga Ssesan, Paradigm Initiative
Fortune Sibanda, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations, TikTok
Sylvia Musalangani, Meta,
Caroline Gaita, Executive Director, Mzalendo
Lenkai Shangwa, NC4 Kenya

Synopsis: Kenya boasts a promising 27.4 million internet users as of January 2025—meaning over half the population are still offline, despite the existence of universal service funds. Also, affordability of smartphones and mobile broadband remains a critical barrier especially for rural and low-income households. Beyond access, digital inclusion gaps persist for persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups, including youth, women, and people with disabilities. Even where community networks are pioneering, poor infrastructure and limited digital literacy programmes remain key challenges. 
This session aims to explore strategies for promoting meaningful connectivity and digital inclusion in Kenya, especially for marginalized and underserved communities, by overcoming access and affordability barriers, and expanding digital literacy and skills to ensure no one is left behind.
Moderator:
Barrack Otieno, Representative, Association of Community Networks in Kenya –

Panelists:
Bob Ochieng’, ICANN Dr. Fiona Asonga, CEO, TESPOK Daniel Kimutai, Chief Officer ICT, Communication and -Corporate Affairs Elgeyo Marakwet 
Charles Juma, UKAID/DAP
Adam Lane, Huawei, 
15:30–16:00Main hall
Reporting back: KIGF capacity-building Initiatives
Panelists:
Children IGF – Lillian Kariuki
Youth IGF – Keith Andere
Kenya School of Internet Governance – Mr Barrack Otieno
16:00–16:15Rapporteurs Summary
Actions, Points and Way Forward
Rapporteurs
16:15-16:30 Closing Session
John Kiria (representing Mary Kerema, State Department for ICt and the Digital Economy, Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy, MoICDE
Liz Orembo, KIGF MAG Chair

16:30 – 17:00
Tea Break and Interlude: Spots from event sponsors as participants stream back into plenary
17:00–18:30Fireside Chat: Responsible AI & Emerging Technology: Aligning Innovation with Ethics, Equity, and Economic GrowthThis session explores how emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and IoT can be harnessed for good while managing their potential risks and ethical considerations and responsible development. It will also consider Kenya’s preparedness, including its existing digital infrastructure, data governance approaches and how global developments, e.g. chip industry will shape its ability to harness these technologies for economic growth.

Moderator:
Ali Hussein, Chairman KICTANet

Panelists: 
Joe Kanyua, Head, Digital Transformation, Safaricom John Paul Okwiri, Konza CEO
Immaculate Kassait,  ODPC
Dr. Esther Khakata, Lecturer, Director, Research & Post- Graduate Studies, Strathmore University
Liz Orembo, Research ICT Africa, and Trustee at KICTANet
19:00–22:00Welcome Cocktails and Live BandCalabash Band
End of Kenya IGF Event