“Online attacks are not merely personal; they are designed to silence women, discourage participation in leadership, and undermine democracy,” said Senator Beth Syengo during a forum on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Elections, and Online Abuse.
The forum brought together women leaders, governance stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, and development partners to examine the growing impact of online abuse, misinformation, disinformation, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) on women’s political participation.
Participants explored the role of AI in elections, including risks associated with synthetic content, deepfakes, and coordinated online attacks. Discussions also focused on digital security, documentation of abuse, reporting mechanisms, and response strategies.
Representatives from the National Police Service and the Kenya Computer Incident Response Team Coordination Centre (KE-CIRT/CC) outlined available reporting channels and ongoing efforts to strengthen responses to cyber incidents and online harm.
The forum reviewed emerging legal and policy frameworks, including the Artificial Intelligence Bill, 2026, which seeks to establish structures for AI governance, accountability, transparency, and protection of human rights in digital spaces.
Participants stressed the need for laws and policies that address the specific risks women face online and provide safeguards against digital abuse and exclusion.
Partners, including the Communications Authority of Kenya, Oxfam Kenya, and IREX, emphasized the importance of equipping women leaders with the skills and tools needed to navigate digital spaces safely and effectively as political engagement increasingly moves online.
The forum noted that online abuse targeting women leaders is a democratic challenge that requires stronger enforcement, effective reporting systems, and coordinated institutional action.
Participants also called for the expansion of POLICARE centres and digital reporting units to support survivors of online and technology-facilitated abuse. These services are critical for reporting incidents, preserving evidence, accessing psychosocial support, and enabling timely action against perpetrators.
As digital technologies continue to shape elections and governance, participants reaffirmed the need to protect women from online harm and ensure that digital spaces support inclusive political participation.