This project seeks to strengthen research and policy capacity that enables policy leaders in the Global south to respond to rapidly changing digital environments and helps ensure they use objective, high quality research to inform decisions on digital policy related issues. Through the funding support, CIPIT will be able to produce knowledge in key cyber policy areas in innovation, security and rights.
This project will advance the goal of promoting fundamental freedoms, human rights, and the free flow of information online. This will be achieved by supporting more consistent and formalized coordination among leading digital rights legislation and case documentation initiatives, amplifying awareness and maximizing impact of applied research and advocacy in defense of digital rights at local, regional, and global levels.
The Cyrilla Consortium seeks to expand and amplify responsive, evidence-based Internet Freedom legal and policy advocacy in the Global South, through coordinated approaches to systematizing digital rights law and case documentation, thereby simplifying access and application of verified legislative, case and policy data affecting citizens’ digital rights.
An analysis of Internet Shutdowns and the Electoral Process in Kenya. The project aimed to research on internet freedoms in Kenya to bring a deeper understanding of information controls during political processes and how this affects public policy on elections, freedom of expression and human rights in general.
Output
The Nature of information controls during electoral processes: The case of Kenya 2017 and Zimbabwe 2018 elections
The goal of the project was to build a global privacy movement of civil society organisations by equipping them with the expertise, skills and resources to advocate for the highest privacy and security safeguards in law, policy and technology and ensuring they can do so in a safe, open and conducive environment built on the respect of rule of law, transparency and accountability.
The specific objectives of the project were:
To produce stronger evidence base to support national and regional advocacy work with partners, documenting the legislative and technical development of the cyber security landscape, of both States and the private sector, and the implications for the security of individuals.
To create the cybersecurity debate we want by advocating for better legal, policy and tech safeguards in accordance with the positions and standards we have articulated.
To strengthen targeted organisations so that they are in control of their organisational networks, are able to respond to contextual changes (socio- economic and political), and are prepared to implement the necessary mitigation strategies.
Output
Proportionality of security limitations on privacy: A checklist for legislative drafting & interpretation in Kenya.
The project sort to build a global privacy movement of civil society organisations by equipping them with the expertise, skills and resources to advocate for the highest privacy and security safeguards in law, policy and technology and ensuring they can do so in a safe, open and conducive environment built on the respect of rule of law, transparency and accountability.
PROJECT OUTPUTS
The project generated a policy paper on “Biometrics and Elections” with the objective of bringing forth the need to incorporate privacy considerations in the technology adoption design in a political process like elections. This was disseminated to elections and its related policy community in Kenya, including but not limited to the electoral management and oversight bodies, public procurement and disposal bodies, Information and Communication Technology Community (ICT), human rights groups, the media and the relevant business community.
The report:
Biometric technology, elections, and privacy: Investigating privacy implications of biometric voter registration in Kenya’s 2017 Election Process.
The project focused one main question; What is the socio-economic impact of Internet disruptions in African countries?
To answer this question, the study looked at the relationship between Internet access and economic growth, the nature of disruptions to Internet access in the region and attempt a quantification of estimates of various forms of disruptions. This research challenged the exclusive reliance on (Gross Domestic Product) GDP to compute economic costs from Internet shutdowns due to the limited nature of GDP in capturing unregulated economic activities that form a significant proportion of the African societies. It proposes extending GDP to include the shadow-economy estimates in the valuation of contribution of Internet access to a country. It is expected the project outcomes will contribute evidence to public policy on the Internet and economic outcomes of a country and the attendant social effects.
These research answered the following questions:
What is the relationship between Internet access and economic production in African economies?
What is the nature of Internet disruptions experienced in the African region in the last 24 months?
How can we estimate the cost of Internet disruptions to African economies?
What are the non-economic effects of an Internet disruption?
From the foregoing, what recommendations can be made on policy and research fronts?
Output
Intentional Internet disruptions in Africa: Estimating impact in observable and shadow economies. Read Full Report here >>Access Link
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Prof. Rutenberg:
Prof. Rutenberg is the Director of CIPIT and an Associate Professor at the Strathmore Law School. He has a BS in Math/Computer Science, a BS in Chemistry, a PHD in Chemistry, and a JD in Law, all from universities in the United States. Dr. Rutenberg is actively involved in guiding intellectual property and information technology policy and academic work in Kenya through his research activities, blogging, direct interaction with governments, and civil society interactions. He is currently away on sabbatical.
Dr. Melissa Omino:
Dr. Melissa Omino holds an LLB (University Of Fort Hare), LLM (Stellenbosch University) and an LLD (University of Fort Hare). She is a member of the Kenyan Bar and practices law as a Partner in MJD Associates LLP in Nairobi, Kenya. Melissa has a special interest in intellectual property. Her current focus is academic research in the niche area of pharmaceutical patents and international trade in relation to the phenomena of “evergreening”. Melissa is also co-founder of the IPCheckIn a monthly meeting of IP enthusiasts that includes patent examiners, attorneys, professors, musicians and law students who offer their services in IP awareness and knowledge dissemination pro bono in Kenya.
Angeline Wairegi, Ph.D.:
Angeline holds a BS in Chemistry (University of North Texas), MS in Food Science (Chapman University), and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry (Utah State University). She is an experienced educator and research scientist with a proven track record in effectively instructing large and small size classrooms in institutions of higher learning, designing educational and training programs for scholars in the scientific field, and in successfully managing and conducting complex research projects. She also has comprehensive technological and pedagogical knowledge on the best practices of designing educational programs, for both online and conventional classrooms, that cater to the educational needs of diverse student populations; as well as the strategies required for carrying out systematic, comprehensive, and successful research projects.
Chebet Koros:
Chebet is an experienced advocate of the High Court of Kenya, who has specialized in intellectual property law. One of her focal areas is intellectual property education with an emphasis on commercialisation of intellectual property assets. At CIPIT, she leads research on the intersection of intellectual property law and innovation with the aim of informing policy change in Kenya, regionally and globally.
Francis Monyango:
Francis Monyango is an experienced privacy and data protection practitioner based in Nairobi. He is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a Certified Information Privacy Professional- Europe (CIPP/E). He has experience in internet governance and digital rights with a special interest in data protection compliance, privacy by design and commercial concepts, freedom of expression online and e-commerce in Africa. He has experience in public affairs and government relations having served as a Public Policy Manager at Oxygene MCL where he also doubled up as the Data Protection Officer.
Kendi Murithi:
Kendi holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Strathmore University in Finance and Business Administration, a CPA 5, and an MBA in Finance from USIU-Africa (2020).
She joined the team in 2014 overseeing all the administrative and finance functions of the Centre. Beyond CIPIT, she enjoys conversations on wealth creation, financial freedom and entrepreneurship.
Catriona Onyango:
Catriona is a CPA Finalist and a holder of a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Accounting Option) from the University of Nairobi.
Kevin Muchwat:
Kevin Muchwat is a holder of a Bachelor of Science (Physics) degree from South Eastern Kenya University. He is a full-stack developer experienced in developing desktop, mobile, and web applications. He worked with the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to implement Volunteer Management Systems in national societies across Africa and his strong knowledge and experience in programming and technology make him a perfect part of the team as the Tech Lead.
Mitchel Ondili:
Mitchel has an LLB from Strathmore Law School. She is passionate about the intersection of technology and existing inequalities.
Cynthia Nzuki:
Cynthia holds an LLB degree from the Strathmore Law School and is currently undertaking her Advocates Training Programme at the Kenya School of Law. Her interests lie in Intellectual Property Law and how proper securing of intellectual property rights can positively impact individuals and the society through the advancement and growth of the innovative and creative sectors; which in turn will lead to economic growth.
Prof Luis G. Franceschi:
Prof Luis G. Franceschi, LLB, LL.M, LL.D is Founding Dean of Strathmore University Law
School, which is today regarded as one of the most reputable and innovative law schools in
Africa. As a thinker, educator and writer, he loves positive and disruptive innovation. He is
currently engaged on the Courts of the Future initiative, where he has brought together
academia, practitioners, governments and judicial officers to transform the way justice
systems operate in Africa. He is the recipient of the 2018 Utumishi Bora National Award in
Research & Writing, the 2016 Australian Award and Visiting Fellowship at Griffith Law
School (Brisbane) and he has been appointed as Visiting Fellow of Mansfield College during
his visit to Oxford.
His area of expertise focuses on the convergence between Constitutional law and Public
International Law “the constitutional regulation of the foreign affairs power”. He is also a
legal advisor to several national and international government agencies, commissions and
programmes, including international and regional courts, the United Nations and the World
Bank. He sits on several boards: Transparency International (Kenya), the International
Justice Commission (The Hague), the African Prisons Project (London), the Africa Legal
Network (ALN) Academy (Mauritius), the International Association of Law Schools (New
York), among others.
His latest publications include “The Rule of Law, Human Rights and Judicial Control of
Power”, Springer; “Judicial Independence and Accountability in Light of judiciary Code of Conduct and Ethics of Kenya” ICJ Kenya; “The Cost of the Constitution in Kenya: A Cost
Analysis of the New Governance Framework Introduced by the 2010 Constitution of Kenya”,
Harvard Africa Policy Review; “The Constitution of Kenya; A Commentary” (a 900-page
article by article commentary of the Constitution), SUP (second edition); and “The African
Human Rights Judicial System; Streamlining Structures and Domestications Mechanisms
Viewed from the Foreign Affairs Power Perspective”. He is also a weekly columnist with the
Daily Nation Newspaper (Kenya). He has also conducted executive leadership courses for
CEOs in more than 25 countries. He is a Kenyan citizen and resides in Nairobi.
Angela Wasunna:
Angela Wasunna is Vice President, Emerging Markets Policy at Pfizer. In her role, she is responsible for leading the development and implementation of a coordinated approach to advance business-focused policy issues related to drug pricing, intellectual property, health systems, healthcare financing and regulatory reform in Emerging Markets. Previously Angela was Assistant General Counsel, Intellectual Property Policy in Pfizer’s Legal Division.
Angela received her law degree from the University of Nairobi Kenya, and advanced law degrees from McGill University, Canada and Harvard Law School. She is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
Before moving to Pfizer, Angela was Associate for International Programs at the Hastings Center for Bioethics, New York. At the Hastings Center, she managed projects on intellectual property rights, market mechanisms in health systems, and public health policy.
Angela has also served as consultant to several agencies including the World Health Organization, the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank and the Department for International Development, UK (DFID). Angela has published several peer-reviewed articles in academic journals, and lectured internationally.
She is co-author of the book: Medicine and the Market: Equity v Choice, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006.
Prof. Githu Muigai:
Professor Githu Muigai hold an LLB and a PhD from the University of Nairobi, an LLM from the Colombia University Law School and Diploma in law from the Kenya School of Law. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb). He was called to the Bar in 1985. He specializes in public procurement law, corporate finance, civil and commercial litigation. In addition to the practice of Law, he is the immediate former Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya.
Florence Ogonjo:
Florence is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, with three years’ experience post admission.
Her interests are in the intersection of human rights with technology.
She is a social impact enthusiast and a member of Vitabu Vyetu Foundation.
Alberto J. Cerda Silva:
Alberto J. Cerda Silva is tenured assistant professor in law and technology at the University of Chile Law School. As a former Fulbright Commission scholar, he holds a doctoral degree from Georgetown University with a dissertation on human rights, copyright, and internet regulation in Latin America. Currently, he is program officer at the Ford Foundation’s International Technology and Society Program, from where he supports organizations advancing internet policies from a social justice and human rights viewpoint worldwide. E-mail: acerda@uchile.cl
Rachel Achieng’:
Rachel Achieng' is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. Her interests lie at the intersection of law and technology.
Joshua Kitili:
Joshua Kitili is an Advocate of the High Court and also holds an LLM (University of Strathclyde) in Information Technology & Telecommunications law. His interests are in privacy, data protection and Information Technology law in general.
Natasha Karanja:
Natasha holds an LLB from the University of Kent and an LLM in International Commercial and Economic Law from SOAS University of London. She is enthusiastic about the centre's mission of creating and sharing knowledge of the development of intellectual property and information technology within the African setting. This falls in line with her passion of engaging with conscious policy making that has a lasting impact on the well being of the African populace.
NANJALA NYABOLA:
Nanjala Nyabola is an independent writer and researcher based in Nairobi, Kenya. Her work focuses on the intersection between technology, media, and society. She holds an MSc in African Studies and an MSc in Forced Migration, both from the University of Oxford, as well as a JD from Harvard Law School. She has held numerous research associate positions including with the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), the Oxford Internet Institute (OII) and other institutions, and has worked as a research lead for several projects on human rights broadly and digital rights specifically around the world. She is a Fellow at the Stanford Digital Civil Society Programme, and the Centre for International Governance Innovation. Nanjala has published in several academic journals including the African Security Review and The Women's Studies Quarterly, and contributed to numerous edited collections. Nanjala also writes commentary for publications like The Nation (US), Al Jazeera, The Boston Review and others. She is the author of Digital Democracy, Analogue Politics: How the Internet Era is Transforming Politics in Kenya (Zed Books, 2018) and Travelling While Black: Essays Inspired by a Life on the Move (Hurst Books, 2020).
ELVIS OGAH:
Award-winning Research Analyst and Corporate Strategist with over 10 years’ experience working in the Digital Identification sub-sector. Proficient in researching, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data related to markets, operation, and economies. Extensively adept in helping organizations design paths to growth and profitability amidst competition and constant change. Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and two Master’s degree respectively in International Affairs and Political Economy. Certified in Project Management and Data Analytics. Received a Diploma in ICT from ISP Computer Institute. Obtained an International Certificate in SME Banking and Financial Analytics from the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII). Participant in the 2020 Digital Identity and National Security Fellowship from the Center for African Affairs and Conflict Research (CAACOR). Policy Ambassador at the Nigerian Global Affairs Council (NIGAC). Currently a Doctoral Student at the University of Abuja, Nigeria.
DR. JOHN OTIENO OREDO:
Dr. John Otieno Oredo, PhD is an educator with over twenty years teaching experience in secondary and university levels. John is a lecturer in the Department of Information Science at the University of Nairobi and previously served as a Research Associate at Kenya Education Network (KENET). He holds a PhD degree in Business Administration - Strategic Information Systems (University of Nairobi); MSc. in Information Technology (Strathmore University); and a Bachelor of Education (Moi University). John is a researcher who has published on educational technology and information systems. His current research revolves around Public Automation, Machine Learning, Data Science, Adoption of Emerging Digital Technologies, Data Analytics, ICTs in Education and Technology Related Stress. He has facilitated workshops on educational technology and academic integrity for University staff and Library Professionals. John is trained in scientific communication and publishing (UON); Research writing (INASP), Item Writing (KNEC), E-Learning course design (ETSU) and supporting faculty in developing online course proficiencies (EDUCAUSE), Advanced Research Design (PASGR) and Critical Discourse Analysis (Stellenbosch University). He is an active member of several professional bodies: ISACA; Full member of Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) and a columnist for its MANAGEMENT magazine; Computer Society of Kenya (CSK), Association for Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE); Project Management Institute (PMI) and Association for Information Systems (AIS) where he serves as the Eastern Africa Chapter President. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Big Data Engineer and Artificial Intelligence Analyst. John also has an Executive Education in Supply Chain Management from Kuhne Logistics University (Germany). He spends his free time tinkering with open-source productivity and research tools.
FELIX ATANDI ACHIRA:
Felix Atandi is a cybersecurity consultant, data governance expert and an applied researcher in privacy-preserving technologies. He is the Security Solutions Architect at CyberTembo, a cybersecurity company in East Africa and has been a Subject Matter Expert with over 10 years of experience in the field. His research interests span theoretical and applied cryptography and their application to everyday problems throughout computer science regarding Security by Default and Design.
He has a BSc. In Computer Science from Kabarak University and an MSc. Computer Forensics and Cyber Security; ‘Threat Intelligence using Honeypots’ from the University of Greenwich, London. Throughout his career, Felix has developed a skill set directly relevant to cybersecurity including an intersection of digital forensics, cyber policy & governance, information security regulatory compliance, development of strategic cybersecurity frameworks as well as industry best practices and methodologies.
His research interest covers the design, analysis and implementation of efficient privacy-preserving cryptographic techniques and their applications. Specifically, with a strong focus on topics covering Homomorphic Encryption, Secure Multiparty Computations, Differential Privacy and Post-Quantum Cryptography. His research is inherently ground-up and driven by the co-production of knowledge with diverse groups of people, in order to understand the wider security implications of information technology.
FAITH O. AMATIKA:
Faith is a Kenyan lawyer, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya of over twelve (12) years standing. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B) from Moi University and a Master of Laws degree (LL.M) in Intellectual Property Law from Ankara University, Turkey. She currently works at the Kenya Copyright Board as a Senior Legal Counsel where she doubles up as the country focal point in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) project on the use of IP in the software sector. Faith has great passion for emerging technologies for instance artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies, internet of things etc. She likes interrogating the interplay between these technologies and the law. She is also interested in intellectual property and intangible asset valuation and helping SMEs and start-ups make the most of their intangible assets.
GITINYWA LOUIS:
Gitinywa Louis is an attorney and litigator, specializing in Constitutional law and International Human Rights law, where he has a particular interest on issues related to digital rights for instance: Freedom of expression online, Data privacy, Internet governance and Fintech.
Before joining the private practice he also served as public Prosecutor for the Rwanda National Public Prosecution Authority since 2011 up to March 2016where he has been involved in many cases related to prosecution of economic crimes, and others criminal cases before domestic courts in Rwanda.
He is also a regular contributor to Global Voices where he has published different articles on issues related to freedom of expression online, the massive use of surveillance technologies and their impacts on data privacy in Rwanda.
He is called to Rwanda Bar Association and holds a Masters of Law (UDSM) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Constitutional law (CEU-Budapest).
OSCAR OKWERO:
Oscar is a recognized and results-oriented Cyber Security Leader and researcher with over 7 years’ experience in Cyber security and Technology risk management. Oscar begun his career at The Copy Cat Ltd as a Management trainee then later as a Pre-sales
Systems Security Engineer where he led the go to market in Security technologies. He then Co-founded an IoT based technology company, Sine solutions Ltd that carried out location-based adverts in public service vehicles in Nairobi and had a partnership with IBM research Africa, The government of Kenya and major advertising agencies. He later worked as a Systems analyst at the
Christ Is the answer ministries (CITAM). Oscar is a Chevening Scholarships alumni of (2018-2019) through which he pursued an MSc IT Cyber Security at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Where he researched on the application of Artificial intelligence on Cloud data loss prevention and developed a model to demonstrate the research, a project that earned him an entry into the University of Glasgow School of computing Science Hall of fame. Oscar is also a US-Aid Scholar at the Strathmore
University for a Bachelor of business Information & Technology (2009-2013) and holds a diploma in Computer studies from the Technical University of Kenya. Oscar is also a member of the John Smith centre for public policy at the University of Glasgow as well as a general member of the Chatham house. Oscar Okwero is currently a Cyber security researcher with particular interest in Cyber threat intelligence and general application security in the cloud. His other interests are in Technology
Law, Artificial intelligence & Machine learning as pertains to Cyber Security.
Khalil Badbess:
Khalil has an LLB from Strathmore Law School. His research interests include the relationship between data governance and electoral integrity and the intersection between intellectual property and development in Africa
