TL;DR: Let's explore how civic tech creators can innovate responsibly within Kenya’s evolving legal environment: tfn and Transparency International webinar series recap.

CivicTech | Responsible Innovation | Open Governance | Digital Rights

Key Takeaways

• Responsible innovation requires civic tech tools that are ethical, inclusive, and legally compliant.

• Trust with the government grows through early engagement, co-creation, and open communication.

• Awareness, sustainability, and legal literacy remain central to Kenya’s civic tech future.

Setting the Scene

This conversation marked the final installment of tfn’s Civic Tech Webinar Series, hosted in collaboration with 🔗Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya).

It brought together tech practitioners, advocates, and innovators to explore a crucial question: How can civic tech innovators operate safely within the law?

This discussion came shortly after the enactment of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, which has been challenged in court and is temporarily stayed (Link).

For Nonprofits and techies in the civic space, this moment underscored the urgent need to understand the legal and ethical boundaries that shape their work.

“We have to move from a place of knowledge,” said Beryl Oywer, tfn’s Partnerships & Communications Lead. “We can’t afford to be caught unaware when new laws are being passed that affect how we build or share information online.”

Understanding Civic Tech and Responsible Innovation

Elizabeth Duya, lawyer and Program Coordinator at TI-Kenya, defined civic tech as “technological tools or platforms that help people participate, hold leaders accountable, or advance social causes.”

She emphasized that responsible innovation goes beyond technical capability; It’s about values.

Civic tech must be ethical, inclusive, and transparent. Developers should always ask:

• How will this tool protect users’ data and privacy?

• Is it inclusive of diverse communities and people with disabilities?

• Does it clearly communicate how data is used and who controls it?

“Responsible innovation means developing ethical, accountable, and genuinely beneficial tools,” Elizabeth explained.

Working with Government: Balancing Trust and Independence

Collaboration with the government is often delicate.

While public institutions may view accountability actors with suspicion, Elizabeth noted that constructive engagement is both possible and essential.

She proposed three strategies for successful collaboration:

• Identify allies within the government who already champion transparency.

• Engage early; involve officials in project design rather than after completion.

• Maintain open communication about objectives, funding, and intended outcomes.

These steps can reduce friction and increase the likelihood of long-term partnership and policy adoption.

Collective Action and Community Ownership

For smaller civic tech organizations, alliances and networks can enhance credibility and influence.

By pooling resources and advocating collectively, innovators can amplify their impact.

Equally, community participation ensures that tools are relevant, trusted, and sustainable.

Being transparent about funding and project goals fosters citizen ownership and mutual accountability.

Raising Awareness and Building Legal Literacy

Many civic tech tools remain underutilized simply because potential users are unaware they exist.

Elizabeth encouraged innovators to use context-appropriate communication channels; such as radio and SMS for rural areas, and digital platforms for urban audiences.

She also underscored the importance of legal literacy. Innovators must understand Kenya’s Data Protection Act, intellectual property, and cybercrime laws to ensure user safety and compliance.

Engaging legal experts early can prevent costly mistakes down the line.

Funding and Sustainability

Funding continues to be a major hurdle.

With donor support becoming less reliable, civic innovators must explore sustainable business models. Elizabeth recommended approaches such as:

• Local fundraising and community-based support;

• Social enterprise models;

• Partnerships offering shared technical or financial resources.

“Sustainability should be part of your design from day one,” she advised. “Tools must be affordable to maintain and adaptable beyond initial grants.”

Insights from the Q&A Session

During the Q&A, Elizabeth shared practical lessons from TI-Kenya’s work.

While TI-Kenya’s legal services primarily address corruption-related cases, it offers guidance on legal compliance for civic innovators.

She noted the absence of a public database on NGO funding, despite existing reporting requirements. A shared transparency platform, she suggested, could strengthen public trust.

On funding, she reiterated the need for creative financing, including digital fundraising and social enterprise approaches.

She also highlighted the 🔗Integrated Public Complaints and Referral Mechanism (IPCRM) as an example of how co-creation between civil society and government can yield successful, trusted systems.

Key insight: Civic tech can thrive when innovators understand the law, operate transparently, and design for sustainability and collaboration.

Closing Reflections

As the session concluded, both speakers emphasized that Kenya’s civic tech ecosystem can only flourish through collaboration, awareness, and ethical innovation.

Elizabeth reminded participants that while technology evolves rapidly, regulation evolves too.

Innovators must stay informed, design responsibly, and safeguard the communities they serve.

Beryl closed with a call for unity and foresight: “We go further when we go together,” she said. “Safety and collaboration must be built into every design.”

Final Thought

The webinar closed on a hopeful note: civic tech has immense potential to deepen democratic participation and accountability in Kenya. Its long-term success, however, will depend on a shared commitment to inclusion, transparency, and responsible innovation.

Additional Resources 

• Civic Tech Innovation Network (CTIN): https://civictech.africa – for funding, research, community updates, and tools.

• Tech for Nonprofits (tfn): https://tfn-ke.com – local hub for civic tech capacity building.

• Transparency International Kenya: https://tikenya.org – for legal and governance resources.

• Data Protection Commission Kenya: https://www.odpc.go.ke – legal guidelines for data safety.

• Thomson Reuters Foundation: https://www.trust.org/trustlaw/ - for pro bono legal support and compliance checks

• Mozilla Foundation’s Responsible AI and Civic Tech Resources – frameworks for ethical innovation.

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