Kenya’s digital advocacy landscape is vibrant, creative, and resilient. By harnessing the power of technology, storytelling, and solidarity, advocates are shaping a future where civic space is protected, voices are heard, and meaningful change is within reach.
The journey is complex, but with strategy, safety, and heart, digital advocacy continues to be a force for justice and democracy, according to reflections from “On Strategic Use of Technology for Advocacy: Safe Impactful Online Campaigning, Digital Storytelling, and Use of Technology” workshop held in Nairobi.
In the digital age, advocacy in Kenya has evolved from street protests and press conferences to the vibrant, high-stakes arenas of social media, blogs, and digital storytelling.
KICTANet, in partnership with the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) through the Our Voices Our Future (OVOF) program, hosted a one-day workshop for civil society actors, human rights defenders, and grassroots advocates. These groups operate in an environment where digital skills are crucial for influencing policy, mobilizing communities, and raising awareness. However, as digital tools expand, so do risks, including surveillance, misinformation, censorship, and technology-facilitated violence.
The workshop is part of a series of sessions under the inaugural Africa Tech Policy Summit 2025 aimed at harmonizing tech policies across Africa to drive technological development.
Setting the Stage: What Is Digital Advocacy?
Dr. Grace Githaiga, CEO of KICTANet, opened the conversation by inviting participants to define digital advocacy:
“We say it is the strategic use of digital technologies. Every time you are designing a digital campaign, you have to be strategic. You need to think, you need to plan, and you need to point out all the issues… What is our aim? Who are we targeting?”
She stressed that digital advocacy is not just about being online, but about being intentional, impactful, and inclusive. It’s about amplifying voices, building communities, and influencing change using social media, websites, blogs, and online campaigns to raise awareness and organize support.
Digital Storytelling: Humanizing Advocacy
Ms Rayhab Gachango, a creative writer and the Managing Editor at Potentash, brought the power of storytelling to the fore, sharing how personal narratives can drive social change.
She recounted her family’s journey with disability and how it led to the creation of “From Stairs to Ramps,” a blog segment that gave voice to the lived experiences of people with disabilities:
“He became my voice and I became his voice. Together, we created change not just for ourselves, but for others.”
Rayhab distilled her message into three lessons:
- Sometimes we must tell our own stories.
- Sometimes we help others tell theirs.
- Sometimes we step back and let others speak, supporting from behind the scenes.
She reminded the audience:
“Stories build human connection and empathy. When you hear my story about my mother, you understand why I am passionate about accessibility.”
Power, Platforms & Policy: The Panel Discussion
A dynamic panel explored the intersection of digital technologies, power dynamics, and civic engagement. The conversation tackled surveillance, misinformation, and digital sovereignty:
Surveillance
“Surveillance is no longer just about monitoring public spaces- it’s about tracking our digital footprints, our conversations, and even our locations. This poses a real threat to civic participation and personal safety.”
Misinformation
“Every morning, you can see which hashtags are trending and know which politician has paid for what trend. Misinformation is a tool for distraction and manipulation, making it harder for citizens to access the truth.”
Digital Sovereignty
“Big tech platforms are not neutral. Their algorithms, content moderation policies, and business interests shape what we see and what voices are heard. At the same time, governments are imposing new regulations that can be used to restrict freedoms under the guise of security or public order.”
The panel celebrated the resilience and creativity of Kenya’s digital advocacy community, especially youth-led movements and the use of arts and technology to mobilize and educate.
Digital Misinformation: Cherie Oyier’s Analysis
Ms Cherie Oyier, Programs Officer-Women’s Digital Rights, KICTANet offered a candid analysis of the misinformation landscape:
“There’s a clash that happens between the media, influencers, and activists. The media see themselves as journalists, and then there are influencers and activists. That attitude has to change… Even our institutions and schools have not addressed the concept of digital.”
She described how misinformation campaigns have become more sophisticated, urging activists to substantiate claims and document events:
“Can you substantiate and say that you were there when the video was being made? You have to be able to say, ‘I was there, I saw this.’”
Cherie also highlighted the importance of access to information:
“Access to information is what made Gen Z transmit everything. When people are asking us, ‘What next after the judge’s bill?’-we have to equip ourselves with information.”
She cautioned about platform dependency:
“If Facebook one day decides to shut, we lose a lot of data. Are we going to download the archive data, or what are we going to do with it?”
Her call to action: build solidarity, invest in digital literacy, and push for policy reforms to protect civic space.
Digital Security and Safety: Neno Newa’s Perspective
Neno Newa, a CyberSecurity Analyst with Revere Technologies Limited focused on the urgent need for digital security and wellness:
“When you’re planning, you also need to think about risks… Nobody thought about abductions. I think we would have anticipated arrests, but abductions and killings don’t think those were on anyone’s agenda.”
He emphasised that digital safety is holistic, encompassing technical, emotional, and psychological well-being:
“Digital wellness… is just use of technology that promotes your emotional, psychological, and mental health. Digital advocacy can promote digital wellness in several ways.”
Neno advocated for good digital hygiene, regular security training, and community-based safety protocols. She also challenged activists to think beyond disruption:
“Disruption can be a strategy because it opens the door for advocacy to walk in. But even when it’s a strategy, what next? Because it’s a process. Even when you do a strategic plan, you foresee the steps.”
His advice: be forward-thinking, anticipate risks, and build resilient communities.
The Heart of the Movement: Coalition Building and Youth Power
Throughout the workshop, coalition building emerged as a key strategy:
“Coalition building… is trying to build a coalition so that you have more voices around an issue. The more the numbers, the more the voices, then the better the push for whatever issue you are doing.”
Kenya’s youth-led digital activism was celebrated for its creativity and impact, with Gen Z organizing, mobilizing, and pushing for change despite narratives that seek to undermine their efforts.
Looking Ahead: Strategy, Solidarity, and Story
The story of digital advocacy in Kenya is one of adaptation, resilience, and innovation. It is about:
- Using technology strategically and safely.
- Telling stories that humanize and mobilize.
- Building coalitions that amplify impact.
- Anticipating risks and prioritizing security and wellness.
- Challenging misinformation and platform dependency.
- Empowering youth and marginalized voices.
As Dr. Grace Githaiga concluded:
“Digital advocacy is about amplifying voices, building communities, and influencing change. But it must always be grounded in strategy, inclusivity, and ongoing learning.”
The Africa Tech Policy Summit builds on the legacy of the Kenya IGF Week, the summit features workshops and policy dialogues. Key sub-events include the Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KeIGF), themed “Tech for Human Development: Policy, Innovation, and Inclusive Governance,” and the East Africa IGF, themed “Advancing East Africa’s Digital Governance Together,” focused on regional Internet governance and policy best practices.
AfTPS aims to promote inclusive, multistakeholder collaboration and position Africa strategically in the global digital economy.
