Advocacy Engagement on Digital Rights in Kenya and the UPR

Advocacy Engagement on Digital Rights in Kenya and the UPR

Date: Tuesday May 13, 2025

Venue: TBC

Introduction

Following KICTANet’s successful participation in the 49th Pre-session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva in February 2025, through the support of the Association of Progressive communications (APC) and Small Media, we recognize the critical need to translate international advocacy into local action. This concept note outlines a strategic approach to engage Kenyan stakeholders in the UPR process, specifically focusing on digital rights issues raised during our Geneva mission. By building coalitions at the local level, we aim to create sustained pressure for the implementation of our recommendations ahead of Kenya’s formal review in May 2025.

Background and Context

The UPR process represents a significant opportunity for advancing digital rights in Kenya. During its 3rd UPR cycle in 2020, Kenya accepted 13 recommendations on freedom of expression, access to information, data privacy, and freedom of the press. However, to date implementation remains uneven.   

Recent developments within Kenya’s digital landscape have underscored the urgency of our advocacy for instance:

  • Freedom House lowered Kenya’s “Freedom on the Net” rating in 2023 to “Partly Free” with a score of 66/100, citing hate speech and information manipulation during the 2022 elections;
  • The government’s response to the #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests included digital rights violations;
  • The June 2024 internet shutdown affected not only Kenya but neighboring countries; and
  • The persistent digital divide continues to limit access, with only 39% of Kenyan women having internet access compared to 59% of men.

Rationale for Local Engagement

While international advocacy creates diplomatic pressure, meaningful implementation of UPR recommendations requires robust local engagement, and monitoring recommendations, and  in-country pressure from civil society to ensure that governments act on the recommendations.

The recent formation of a coalition for digital rights in Kenya, as convened by BAKE and KICTANet on April 16, 2025, provides a timely foundation for this work. 

Objectives

  1. To create awareness among local stakeholders about the UPR process and its relevance to digital rights in Kenya;
  2. To strengthen the broad-based coalition of civil society organizations, media, legal experts, and policymakers to advocate for the implementation of digital rights recommendations;
  3. To engage government institutions responsible for implementing UPR recommendations; and 
  4. To amplify digital rights violations.

Target Audience

  1. Civil Society Organizations: Digital rights NGOs, human rights organizations, media freedom advocates, women’s rights groups, and disability rights organizations
  2. Government Institutions: Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy, Communications Authority of Kenya, Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights
  3. Media: Journalists, bloggers, content creators, and media houses
  4. Legal Community: Lawyers, judges, and legal aid organizations
  5. Private Sector: Technology companies, telecommunications providers, and industry associations
  6. Marginalized Communities: Women, persons with disabilities, and other groups affected by the digital divide.

Proposed Activities

1. UPR Digital Rights Awareness Workshop 

  • A one-day workshop to build stakeholders’ capacity  about the UPR process and its relevance to digital rights;
  • Presentation of KICTANet’s advocacy efforts in Geneva and key recommendations
  • Discussion of implementation strategies and monitoring mechanisms
  • Developing a shared advocacy agenda and communication strategy.

Expected Outcomes

  1. Increased awareness among Kenyan stakeholders about the UPR process and its relevance to digital rights;
  2. Strengthened coalition of civil society organizations advocating for digital rights implementation;
  3. Greater public discourse on digital rights issues; and
  4. Concrete policy and legislative recommendations, to address digital rights challenges.

About the Organizers

KICTANet Trust is a multistakeholder think tank for ICT policy and regulation whose guiding philosophy encourages synergies for ICT policy-related activities and initiatives. The network is a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector and is guided by four pillars: policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and research. The network provides mechanisms and a framework for continuing cooperation and collaboration in ICT matters among industry, technical community, academia, media, development partners, and government.

Conclusion

The UPR process provides a unique opportunity to advance digital rights in Kenya, but its effectiveness depends on robust local engagement and follow-up. By building on KICTANet’s successful advocacy in Geneva and leveraging the momentum of recent coalition-building efforts, we  aim to create a powerful movement for digital rights implementation in Kenya.

Advocacy Engagement on Digital Rights in Kenya and the UPR Process

Date: May 13th, 2025

Time:  08:00 – 11:00 hours

Venue: Sarova Stanley

Agenda

Time Agenda Proposed Facilitator
08:00 – 08:30 Arrival and Registration
Welcome and Introductions
08:30 – 08:50 Opening Remarks and Scene Setting

  • Welcome address
  • Introduction of the meeting objectives and expected outputs
  • Overview of the digital rights landscape in Kenya .
 Dr. Grace Githaiga
08:50 – 09:50 Presentation: Understanding the UPR Process and Kenya’s Commitments

  • The Universal Periodic Review (UPR)- What it is and why it matters for digital rights
  • The UPR process and how stakeholders can actively engage in subsequent UPR cycles
  • Highlights from KICTANet’s participation in the 49th UPR Pre-session in Geneva
  • Main recommendations and advocacy messages delivered to the various diplomatic missions engaged

Cherie Oyier
09:50 – 10:45 Panel Discussion: Translating international advocacy to local action

  • Lessons from Geneva: What worked, what didn’t, and how can local actors adapt these insights?
  • The role of coalitions in amplifying advocacy and ensuring sustained pressure on government
  • Strategies for inclusive coalition-building: ensuring marginalized voices (women, PWDs, rural communities) are at the center of advocacy.
  • Overcoming coalition challenges: addressing weak funding, lack of diversity, and siloed operations
  • KNCHR rep (TBC)
  • Catherine Mbui Article 19 rep (confirmed)
  • Defenders Coalition KE rep (TBC)
10:45- 10:55 Plenary
10:55- 11:10 Tea Break
11:10 – 11:40 Co-creating a Shared Advocacy Agenda

  • Facilitated discussion:
    • Group 1: Strategies for coalition-building and collaboration that stakeholders can adopt for future UPR processes
    • Group 2: Monitoring and engagement plans for UPR recommendations during this UPR cycle Communication 

Group 1 

Group 2
11:40 – 12:05 Presentation of group resolutions by appointed group leaders TBD
12:05 – 12:30 Closing Remarks & Next Steps

  • Summary of key outcomes
  • Announcements (e.g., follow-up meetings, coalition activities)
  • Vote of thanks
  • Group photo

Dr. Grace Githaiga

 

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