Mozilla Corporation in partnership with the African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI) and the Public Service Commission (PSC) announced the launch of a comprehensive training program aimed at equipping government agencies in Kenya with essential knowledge and skills to ensure the protection of citizens’ personal data. The training program, sponsored by Mozilla under the Africa Mradi initiative, focuses on enhancing data protection and cybersecurity measures in line with national and international regulations.

In his remarks at the launch event held at the Golden Tulip Westlands, speaking on behalf of AFRALTI Director, Mr. Jonathan Mwakijele who is the Head of Training at AFRALTI, highlighted the institutes efforts in exemplifying its shared commitment to empowering state agencies with the knowledge and skills necessary to secure sensitive information effectively. “By equipping our state agencies with advanced capabilities in data protection and cybersecurity, we not only bolster their defenses but also instil confidence in Kenyan citizens that their shared data is well-secured.”

Speaking at the same event, PSC Acting CEO, Mr. Remmy Mulati said, “With the government handling, controlling and processing huge amount of private data belonging to its citizens, it is important, that data controllers and processors are provided with the necessary capacity building towards full compliance with the provisions of the Act. He commended the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner for the continued efforts in creating awareness and enforcing compliance with the law and its continued partnership with AFRALTI to build capacity among Kenyan citizens.

The training by AFRALTI targets to meet the specific needs of high-priority data processors and controllers identified by the regulatory authority. By collaborating with key stakeholders, the training program will address critical aspects of data protection and cybersecurity to enhance the overall resilience of government agencies.

The curriculum developed, covers essential topics such as data classification, risk assessment, consent management, data breach response, and other relevant areas. The training will also include cybersecurity modules focusing on threat actor profiling to analyze cyber threat actors’ characteristics, tactics, potential targets, and attack strategies.

As part of this initiative, the partners remain committed to promoting data protection best practices and cybersecurity awareness among government agencies in Kenya and beyond. By empowering officials with updated skills and knowledge, the program aims to strengthen the country’s data protection framework and mitigate cyber threats effectively.

About Mozilla Africa Innovation Mradi

The Africa Innovation Mradi is a pan-Mozillian program that aims to leverage Mozilla’s role as stewards of the open web to promote models of innovation that are grounded in the unique needs of users in the African continent. The programme is exploring and developing new technology and products by establishing a network of partners and building a community to support these models.

In addition, the Africa Mradi incorporates a regional focus on the development and governance of technologies and the impact this has on social justice issues, both on and offline. Through joint and independent interventions carried out by the Mozilla Corporation and the Mozilla Foundation, it seeks to make an impact across three interlinked focus areas (work streams):

• Strengthening local innovation ecosystems in the Global Majority
• Build products for real life
• Movement building

About AFRALTI

African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI) is an Inter-Governmental Organisation established in 1991 to supplement and spearhead ICT development efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa. The mandate of AFRALTI is to develop human capacity in ICTs (included herein is training, consultancy and research).

The Institute has over the years expanded its reach and participants come from all African countries and other parts of the world. AFRALTI trains in English and French speaking African countries through various international collaborations. AFRALTI is also an ITU Centre of Excellence that provides capacity building in programs developed by ITU. In addition, AFRALTI has long standing partnerships with BigTech organizations in provision of training, research and innovation solutions in Africa.

About PSC

The mandate of the Commission is spelt out in Articles 234, 155(3)(a), 158(2)(3) and (4), 171(2), 230(2)(b) and 236 of the Constitution. This includes establishment and abolition of offices, provision of competent human resource, promotion of good governance and ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of quality services in the public service. In discharging the mandate, the Commission is guided by the values and principles in Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution, Public Service Commission Act of 2017, Public Service (Values and Principles) Act, 2015 and other relevant legislations.