Ahead of the 2022 General Elections, the Kofi Annan Foundation and partners implemented a number of activities to secure the integrity of Kenya’s elections from digital threats and identify long-term reforms to protect Kenyan democracy in the digital age.
The Challenge
In Kenya, the use of digital technologies in electoral contexts has steadily increased. Recent elections have seen high levels of online disinformation, divisive and polarizing language, and online-based violence against minority groups. Addressing these challenges was critical to ensuring peaceful and credible elections in 2022, and to safeguarding democracy and enhancing electoral integrity in Kenya in the long-term
“No election can be perfect, but there is always room for improvement.”
About Securing the Digital Environment for Elections in Kenya
The Kofi Annan Foundation, Baraza Media Lab and CMD Kenya initiated the project based on the recommendations from the Kofi Annan Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age. The project included the development of a pledge for good online behaviour for political candidates, the creation of Fumbua- a media collective aimed at identifying and countering disinformation, and the convening of a comprehensive post-election review roundtable to identify reforms necessary to protect Kenyan democracy in the digital age
“While the increase of digital technology has yielded several benefits in the way of enhanced civic participation and inclusion, the outcome of social media use has not always been positive due to the spread of mis- and disinformation, the incitement to violence and the harassment of women.”
Key facts
Securing the Digital Environment for Elections
18000
Local and international election observers monitored the August 2022 elections, providing essential oversight and feedback.
Post-Election Roundtable was convened in November 2022, involving a range of stakeholders, including election observer missions and key election stakeholders.
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Actionable recommendations were issued from the roundtable and subsequent discussions. Their aim is to improve future elections, focusing on areas such as voter education, social media regulation, and integrity in the electoral process.
The discussions and findings have raised significant awareness among stakeholders about the influence of digital technologies and misinformation on the democratic process.
The roundtable facilitated consensus among diverse stakeholders on crucial electoral reforms necessary to enhance the credibility and integrity of Kenya’s electoral system.
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First published in
REPORT | Kenya 2022 Post-Election Review
On 10 and 11 November 2022, the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD-Kenya), with the support of the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), convened a hybrid post-election review roundtable with local and international election observer missions and key election stakeholders in Nairobi. The roundtable sought to build consensus on the key […]
First published in
STATEMENT: Regarding Supreme Court decision about the August 2022 presidential elections in Kenya
Geneva, 5 September 2022. Following the announcement by the Supreme Court of Kenya of its decision regarding the 9 August 2022 General Elections, the Kofi Annan Foundation congratulates President-elect William Ruto on his confirmed election victory. Now is the time to heal divides, and we call on the new President to reach out to all […]
First published in
Oped: Safeguarding Kenya’s Electoral freedoms in the Digital Age
Ory Okolloh, a member of the Kofi Annan Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age, and Abdulmalik Sugow, a legal researcher and consultant, co-authored an opinion piece on the topic of safeguarding Kenya’s electoral freedoms in the digital age. The article was originally published in Business Daily Africa on the 5th of January […]
First published in
STATEMENT: Regarding Supreme Court decision about the August 2022 presidential elections in Kenya
Geneva, 5 September 2022. Following the announcement by the Supreme Court of Kenya of its decision regarding the 9 August 2022 General Elections, the Kofi Annan Foundation congratulates President-elect William Ruto on his confirmed election victory. Now is the time to heal divides, and we call on the new President to reach out to all […]
First published in
Keynote Address by Corinne Momal-Vanian at the 2021 People Dialogue Festival
Corinne Momal-Vanian, Executive Director of the Kofi Annan Foundation, took part in Session 2 of The People Dialogue Festival in Nairobi, on September 15th, 2021. Dear Friends, It is a pleasure to join you today, and I am delighted to spend the International Day of Democracy in the company – even virtual- of activists, politicians, […]
First published in
REPORT | Kenya 2022 Post-Election Review
On 10 and 11 November 2022, the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD-Kenya), with the support of the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), convened a hybrid post-election review roundtable with local and international election observer missions and key election stakeholders in Nairobi. The roundtable sought to build consensus on the key […]
First published in
Safeguarding the Digital Space Ahead of Kenya's 2022 Elections
Kenya is currently one of the most digitally advanced societies in Africa. Digital technologies and social media are widely used by Kenyan citizens and political leaders alike. In electoral contexts, social media has increased civic empowerment and engagement; but it has also increased the number of challenges related to the risk factors identified by the […]
First published in
Oped: Safeguarding Kenya’s Electoral freedoms in the Digital Age
Ory Okolloh, a member of the Kofi Annan Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age, and Abdulmalik Sugow, a legal researcher and consultant, co-authored an opinion piece on the topic of safeguarding Kenya’s electoral freedoms in the digital age. The article was originally published in Business Daily Africa on the 5th of January […]
First published in
Oped Series: Securing Kenya’s Electoral Integrity in the Digital Age
The Kofi Annan Foundation has supported the publication of a five-part op-ed series on the Pan-African digital platform The Elephant. The series seeks to explore the use of personal data in campaigns, the spread of misinformation and disinformation, social media censorship, and incitement to violence and hate speech, and the practical measures various stakeholders can […]
First published in
"Back from the Brink: the 2008 mediation process and reforms in Kenya"
In April, the African Union Panel of Eminent Personalities released their final report: “Back from the Brink: The 2008 mediation process and reforms in Kenya.” The report describes the Panel’s mediation between the political parties following the post-election violence in Kenya in 2007-2008, and the resulting reforms that were proposed to sustain peace, mend Kenya’s […]
First published in
New project: Securing the Digital Environment for the 2022 Election in Kenya
The Kofi Annan Foundation is delighted to announce the launch of a new project entitled Securing the Digital Environment for the 2022 Election in Kenya, funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund. Building on the findings of the Kofi Annan Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age, the project will address the potential […]
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Karen Zamberia
