The Role Of Youth In Shaping Digital Democracy In Kenya

Earlier today, ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary Eng. John Tanui was the keynote speaker during the National Stakeholders’ Symposium held at The Panari Hotel in Nairobi.

The event, themed “The Youth Factor in Digital Democracy in Kenya,” brought together various stakeholders to reflect on the evolving role of young people in the country’s digital landscape.

In his address dubbed “The Role of Youth in Shaping Digital Democracy in Kenya,” PS Tanui noted that over 10 million young Kenyans are working online, reflecting their growing engagement in the digital space.

Eng.Tanui emphasized that equipping youth with digital tools empowers them to effectively champion policy reforms that resonate with their peers.

He observed that the rise of deepfakes presents new challenges to information integrity, emphasizing that stakeholders must innovate and adapt to ensure accurate information prevails in the digital landscape.

A highlight of the symposium was the Award Ceremony for the Digital Democracy Fellows. The ceremony recognized the inaugural cohort of Digital Democracy Fellows, for successfully completing a rigorous six-month program focused on media literacy, digital security, and online civic engagement

Among the distinguished guests were H.E. Pirrka Tapiola, Ambassador of Finland to Kenya; Prof. John Walubengo; Deputy Data Commissioner; Zubeida Kananu, President of the Kenya Editors’ Guild, alongside other notable attendees.