Kenyan public urged to advance the Internet Governance policies through meaningful participation

Internet openness is the foundation of the economic, social and cultural success of its ecosystem, but calls for progressive, well advanced policy frameworks. This is what emerged from the speakers who spoke at the 2nd edition of the Kenya School of Internet Governance 2017.

Mercy Wanjau, Principal Legal officer, at the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) informed the meeting that many at times, policy cycles were not often realised. Nonetheless, she added that, “We each have a fundamental role that future policy is safeguarded from fragmentation.”

“Through participation, we can come up with a progressive well advanced policy framework. People need to step up from isolated spaces to collaborative spaces,” she adds.

Gbenga Ssesan, Executive Director Paradigm Initiative says, “knowledge is the only way to guarantee respected participation.” “What do you know? What must you know? What will you know 15 years from today? He asks.

“We have a lot of problems to not run out of innovation opportunities. However, innovation cannot be legislated. Policy is almost always playing catch up to innovation, but must not stand in its way. What kills innovation is licensing,” notes Ssean.

He is of the point of view that Africa needs a new generation that understand and will build careers around internet policy. “The real focus of policy should majorly plug the gaps,” he stated.

Ms Grace Githaiga, co-Convenor of KICTAnet said that there was need for more new voices in internet governance and hence the basis of starting KESIG.

Ms. Alice Munyua, from the African Union Commission noted that Kenya’s democratic space could be measured by the level of public participation. She also noted that having an open internet required a ‘multi stakeholder approach’ though often it was considered tedious.

Munyua also emphasised that the public need not be obsessed with internet shut down, but learn more how the internet works and the world of internet governance. “There is no one who can shut down the internet. It is more political and not technical.” she said.

She also urged the government and the key stakeholders to come up with effective policies that would ensure the internet remained open so that everyone innovates and protects human rights, instead of thinking of shutting down.

“ICTs for development gives equal opportunities. Sadly, enough, Africa is merely a consumer. What works for Kenya, for instance, its innovation.”

“We need to understand and be in these spaces- Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) ensures that the domain names and IP addresses that glue together the system operate smoothly and Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to make the Internet work better by producing high quality, relevant technical documents that influence the way people design, use, and manage the Internet – so that we can advocate about the technical issues that work towards our unique challenges,” says Munyua. “The internet is about business rights. It is designed for us.”

The Secretary for ICT Dr. Kate Getao emphasized that for developing countries to realize change, they need to be knowledgeable, bold and play an active role in global and regional discourse to advance their interests.

The three day forum organised by the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) in partnership with Facebook acknowledged the fact that  with continued increase with internet adoption, mobile internet access and the continuing deployment of broadband internet infrastructure throughout the country, cybercrime was becoming a reality.

“Internet is changing the way in which we work. While this phenomenon requires broader collaboration, the following aspects are relevance to internet governance,” says Ms.Rosemary Koech from the Legal Hackers and Victor Kapiyo an Advocate of the Kenyan High Court and Kictanet Trustee.

“Traditionally labour laws were created to cater for a traditional workspace, but today online work has changed the employer-employee relationship. There might be a need to reconsider labour laws that cater for online work as regards to redress for disputes between the two parties and for various employment law jurisdictions that come into play,” says Rosemary.

The three days forum was a pre activity prior to the Kenya: Internet Governance Forum Conference 2017 themed “Shape your Digital Future!” which aims to serve as a platform for policy dialogue on issues of Internet governance in Kenya.

Kictanet will use this year’s IGF to launch a policy brief that aims to rebuild trust between citizens and the Kenyan Government.

“What the policy brief mean to us is that the government is not the sole custodian in shaping policy using the old methods, everyone has a unique role in shaping the policy as regards to the emerging issues with increased adoption of the internet,” says Grace Bomu,Kictanet Associate.

The IGF is a unique platform for all stakeholders to openly exchange perspectives and concerns on key issues that may affect the future of the Internet for millions of Kenyans.

This year’s forum will attract participation of stakeholders from government, private sector, technical community, academia and civil society to discuss Internet governance issues on an equal footing through an open and inclusive process.