J. Walu, OGW

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Ambassador Philip Thigo is closing out the EU Tech Business Offer Forum Kenya with a keynote that is doing something rare — it is making the room stop and listen. This is not a ceremonial close. Ambassador Thigo is unpacking Kenya's position as the undisputed leader on all things digital across the African continent, and backing it with data, trends, and a clarity of analysis that only comes from someone who has spent years working at the intersection of African digital policy, international development, and private sector technology from positions spanning the continent. The picture he is painting is striking. Kenya is not merely ahead — it is setting the benchmark that the rest of Africa is measuring itself against. From mobile money and digital identity to connectivity infrastructure, e-government services, and now AI and software solutions, Kenya has consistently been the first to prove what is possible and the first to scale it. M-Pesa did not just change Kenya. It rewrote the global conversation about financial inclusion. The question Ambassador Thigo is posing is: what is the next chapter that Kenya writes for the continent? His read on the EU–Kenya digital partnership is equally direct. The instruments are in place. The values alignment is real. What the partnership now requires is execution discipline — moving from forums and frameworks into funded, accountable, time-bound programmes that produce outcomes the continent can see and replicate. The closing argument that stays with me: Kenya does not need to be convinced of its digital potential. It needs partners who match its ambition with equivalent commitment. Today's forum has been a strong step in that direction. @EUinKenya #DigitalEU #TechBusinessOffer #GlobalGateway #EUInKenya #EUKenya50 @pthigo

⚖️ The first session of the day set a strong tone and was highly interactive, with insights from John Walubengo ( @JWalu ) supporting the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner on : Compliance, Privacy & Risk Management. He emphasized that the Kenyan Government must uphold legal and regulatory obligations while ensuring lawful processing of citizen data. Tools such as Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) help identify risks, design safeguards, and guide responsible decision-making. 💬 “Data governance is not just technical—it’s strategic. It safeguards trust, strengthens policy outcomes, and builds resilience in the digital era.” — John Walubengo A great start to the day with meaningful discussions on protecting both institutions and citizens through strong data governance. #DataGovernance #DataGovKe ^NM

“Data protection is not a barrier to technological advancement; it is a key enabler of innovation. By safeguarding personal data and upholding privacy, it builds trust among users, institutions, and innovators, creating a foundation where technology can grow responsibly and sustainably.” - Immaculate Kassait, Director, General Office of the Data Protection Commissioner Follow the live conversation: youtube.com/live/SIyyReeAz… @alkags , @ODPC_KE, @AmnestyKenya, @StrathCIPIT, @KCBInKenya , @TISAKenya, @SafaricomPLC, @pdpoUG , @ASSEKnews , @UNESCO @penmuri @VictorNdede @nyogude @EdnaKasozi #EADataGov26 #DataGovernance #DigitalTransformation #OpenData #DigitalRights

🇰🇪 Kenya is taking data governance seriously and here’s why it matters for every citizen. This week in Nairobi, over 70 government officers from across ministries are gathered for a 3-day Data Governance Capacity Building Workshop. “The nations that thrive are those that treat data not just as information, but as a strategic national asset.” Data fuels innovation, drives economies, and improves governance from how farmers plant crops to how the government delivers services. “AI is anchored in data; therefore, the issue of data becomes central to everything we do.” — Dr. Grace Githaiga, CEO KICTANet 📌 Key messages: “Technology provides the tools, governance provides the direction.” — PS Eng. John Tanui (via Mr Emmanuel Kata) “Kenya is positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation.” — Tevin Gitonga, GIZ Why this matters: 🔹 Kenya generates enormous volumes of government data daily without governance frameworks, that data cannot be trusted, shared, or fully leveraged. 🔹 The workshop equips public servants with tools for data quality, risk management, legal compliance under the Data Protection Act (2019), and institutional coordination. 🔹 It supports domestication of the African Union Data Policy Framework (AUDPF), adopted in 2022, positioning Kenya as a continental leader in responsible data use. Kenya already boasts advanced data infrastructure: the Data Protection Act (2019), National AI Strategy 2025–2030, and Cloud Policy 2025. Now comes the critical work of building the human capacity to match that infrastructure. Kenya is building data champions, one ministry at a time. #DataGovKE #DigitalTransformation

Kenya’s digital future continues to take shape. Join us in Siaya for the launch of the Siaya Community Digital Hub and the Digital Skilling & Jobs Summit 2026. The summit will bring together innovators, youth, and stakeholders to connect, create and grow through digital skills, jobs, and opportunities in the creative economy. The event will be graced by H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto the President of the Republic of Kenya as Chief Guest. 📍 Siaya Community Digital Hub 📅 March 8, 2026

Tukutane Siaya!

Join us for a Public Participation Dialogue for AI & Emerging Technologies Kenya is poised to lead Africa in the fourth Industrial Revolution. To secure this position, the Government is developing a National Policy on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies. As the Government develops the policy, your voice is essential in shaping a sovereign, inclusive and innovative digital future. Towards this, ASSEK in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy would like to invite you to a public participation webinar on March 5, 2026 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm. 🔗 Register here: bit.ly/KenyaAIPolicy2

🇰🇪 Kenya's young people have something powerful to say about Artificial Intelligence and it's time we listened. Before the government finalises its national AI and emerging tech policy, a group of Kenyan teenagers sat down to share exactly what they want from AI and what they refuse to accept. Their voices challenge assumptions held in boardrooms and policy halls across the country. #KenyaAIPolicy kictanet.or.ke/child-particip…

🚨 CyberGame Kenya 2026 – Invitation to Participate Students, cybersecurity professionals, ICT practitioners, and tech enthusiasts are invited to take part in the CyberGame Kenya 2026 Edition, a cybersecurity challenge aimed at strengthening skills and enhancing our capacity to secure Kenya’s digital future. Important Dates: Challenge begins: 1st March 2026 at 3:00 AM (EAT) Official Launch: 2nd March 2026 at 11:00 AM Challenge ends: 10th May 2026 The competition will cover areas such as cryptography, malware analysis, forensic analysis, offensive security, security management, and open-source intelligence. Eligible participants include students in tertiary institutions, universities, and industry professionals. I encourage all relevant participants to be available at the scheduled time and take part in this important initiative under the theme: Securing Kenya’s Digital Future. cybergame.sk/ke 🔐🇰🇪💻

🌟 KICTANet Engages HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence At KICTANet, we continue to lead efforts to combat Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) through awareness campaigns, policy advocacy, capacity building, and practical interventions that make digital spaces safer for all. Yesterday, 25 February 2026, KICTANet, represented by our CEO Dr. Grace Githaiga, had the honor of engaging with Her Royal Highness Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, during a reception for Women Leaders hosted by Dr. Ed Barnett, Acting Ambassador at the British High Commission in Nairobi. The discussion focused on TFGBV — a critical issue at the intersection of digital rights, online safety, and human dignity. KICTANet shared its ongoing work in raising awareness, advocating for policy, and implementing practical solutions to combat TFGBV in Kenya. HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh emphasized the importance of sustained implementation, accountability, and the inclusion of men in these conversations principles that closely align with KICTANet’s mission to create safe and inclusive digital spaces. KICTANet extends its gratitude to the British High Commission, Janet Sudi - MCIPR, Colin Sykes, and the broader UK Government for facilitating this engagement and supporting efforts to strengthen gender equality and digital safety in Kenya. This engagement reinforces KICTANet’s commitment to advancing digital rights, safety, and human dignity across Kenya and the region. #KICTANet #DigitalSafety #TFGBV #GenderEquality #DigitalRights #Kenya #HumanDignity ^NM

KICTANet is ready for #AFTPS2026! From May 19–21, 2026, join ICT policy & regulation stakeholders under the theme: “Democratising Open‑Source, Accessible & Democratic Digital Futures.” Your input matters 👉 kictanet.or.ke/call-for-thema…

Rallying Partners for Connected Africa Summit 2026 and Africa’s Digital Future I had the pleasure of engaging our partners and sponsors as we prepare for the Connected Africa Summit (CAS) 2026, scheduled for 27th to 30th April 2026 at The Edge Convention Centre,Nairobi. I sincerely appreciate their continued support and shared commitment to advancing Africa’s Digital Economy. I was joined by the Chairperson of the ICT Authority Board, H.E. Lily Ng’ok, and the CEO of the ICT Authority, Mr. Jessy Kiveu, alongside our valued technology partners and stakeholders who continue to play a critical role in shaping our digital transformation journey. Under this year’s theme, “Uniting Africa’s Innovation for an Inclusive Digital Market,” CAS 2026 will focus on practical collaboration that delivers measurable impact across the continent. Our priorities include: • Strengthening Africa’s startup ecosystem and connecting our startups with global innovators and investors • Opening structured opportunities for solution providers to engage governments and industry • Expanding connectivity corridors beyond traditional routes from East Coast to West Coast and across Africa • Enhancing redundancy and resilience of digital infrastructure, including strengthening submarine cable capacity • Advancing progressive policies on cross-border data flows to enable a seamless continental digital market • Deepening collaboration in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence and cloud ecosystem development The Summit provides a unique platform for stakeholders to engage directly with government officials and decision-makers, accelerating partnerships and implementation. Digital transformation has a powerful multiplier effect across sectors — from agriculture and health to education, trade, and manufacturing. When strategically executed, it unlocks new opportunities for our young people, strengthens governance, and positions Africa as a globally competitive digital hub. CAS 2026 will bring together continental partners, global friends, innovators, and investors to move from frameworks to action. Together, we are building a connected, inclusive, resilient, and opportunity-driven Digital Africa. @ICTAuthorityKE @MoICTKenya @CA_Kenya @MoICT_Ug @RwandaICT @konzatech @ODPC_KE

We have officially signed the Trilateral Letter of Strategic Intent (LoSI) with Italy and India at the India AI Impact Summit. As a co-architect of this framework, Kenya is now established as the primary "implementation and scale platform" for AI across Africa.  We are moving beyond pilots to deliver population-scale AI solutions in agriculture, education, and public services that drive local jobs and sovereign growth.  #AI #DigitalTransformation #KenyaInIndia #GlobalPartnerships

It is the in-thing on social media right now. People are uploading selfies to the ChatGPT artificial intelligence platform and asking for caricatures that include details from their lives. However, amid the fun, Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait is asking Kenyans to pause and think about what they are getting themselves into. Read more: #story" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">nation.africa/kenya/life-and…

The Data Commissioner highlighted a joint project with the Ministry and GIZ focused on targeted training for government institutions moving from a place of confusion to growing appreciation. Nearly 1,000 public officers have already been trained, with more to follow, strengthening understanding of data protection in day-to-day government work. @ikassait @ntvkenya #DataPrivacyConference2026 #TrustTheData

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez: Starting next week, my government will implement the following actions: First, we will change the law in Spain to hold platform executives legally accountable for many infringements taking place on their sites. Second, we will turn algorithmic manipulation and amplification of illegal content into a new criminal offense. Third, we will implement a hate and polarization footprint system to track, quantify, and expose how digital platforms fuel division and amplify hate. Fourth, Spain will ban access to social media for minors under the age of 16. Platforms will be required to implement effective age verification systems — not just checkboxes, but real barriers that work. Fifth and last, my government will work with our public prosecutor to investigate and pursue the infringement committed by Grok, TikTok, and Instagram.

Speaking on Capital FM Kenya, Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait, SC, MBS emphasized that trust is the foundation of innovation because people only share data when they feel safe and protected. @ikassait @CapitalFMKenya #DataPrivacyConference2026 #TrustTheData

Tomorrow from 8am on #CapitalInTheMorning ☀️ Immaculate Kassait, SC, MBS, Data Commissioner, joins @ChikoLawi and @blinkypenguin to discuss: Beyond Data Privacy Week: Protecting Your Data in a Digital World Practical insights on digital safety and data protection. Tune in. @ikassait @CapitalFMKenya #DataPrivacy #TrustTheData

While progress seems limited elsewhere, the #ODP2026 Conference demonstrated Kenya’s growing maturity in digital governance. Two areas need attention, police and electoral data governance. The #StandardSettingKE opinion with Adv. @Mwafrikah_100 irunguhoughton.org/post/public-tr… #StandardSettingKE #WorldPrivacyDay2026