iFreedoms Programs
1.Training
a. The Law and Internet in Kenya
BAKE in collaboration with Mugambi Laibuta, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya have carried out training workshops on the law and internet in Kenya. The trainings have so far been held in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Nyeri and Kisumu Counties. The training workshops cover the following topics;
The Legal system, Defamation, Criminal Law Process, Communication Laws, Privacy, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Consumer Law and Social Media Policies.
b. Digital Security
The project undertakes practical digital security and safety trainings, each targeting up to 20 participants from at-risk groups in Kenya – journalists, artists, bloggers, sexual minorities, and human rights defenders. Trainings for potential and existing content creators, including university students and bloggers are also planned.
c. Blogging and social media
The project also does trainings on responsible blogging and social media across the country. The trainings help improve digital literacy in the country and increase content on Kenya online. The trainings have so far been held in Makueni, Mombasa, Nairobi, Nyeri, Nakuru, Bungoma, Kisumu Counties, Daystar University, St. Paul’s University and United States International University (USIU) among others.
2. Campaigns & Awareness
We conduct online campaigns and engagements on commemoration days such as:
- International Internet Freedom Day (January 10)
- Safer Internet Day (February 10)
- International Women’s Day (March 8)
- World Press Freedom Day (May 3)
- Right to Know Day (September 28)
- International Human Rights Day (December 10)
3. Documentation
The project documents internet freedom issues at all times they happen. These could be legislations proposed, intimidation and harassment of Kenyans online, court cases relating to internet freedoms and security threats.
4. Public Interest Litigation
BAKE members who get into trouble with the law can be assisted with litigation where need arises. This takes the form of hiring a lawyer to represent the member when arrested and if also arraigned in court.
In addition, BAKE also undertakes public interest litigation on laws which do not conform to the constitution. Specifically, laws that limit freedom of expression beyond the constitutionally limited provisions will be challenged in court.
5. Advocacy
Advocacy on all matters internet freedoms are a core part of the project. For instance, advocacy on proposed legislations that could impede the full realization of internet freedoms will see the organization lobby through memoranda and public interest litigation to ensure the constitutional guarantees are protected.
Advocacy also entails highlighting the various issues that affect Kenyans online by providing facts and issues about the sector. This ensures that online debates are informative and instructive to the growth of the nascent digital economy.
6. State of the Internet in Kenya Report
The project also entails a yearly report highlighting the core issues that took place during the year and impacted the Kenyan internet space in one way or another. The reports can be downloaded here.