Safety Enthusiast | Health Advocate | Social Accountability Champion. I love my SON! Views my own and retweets don't mean an endorsement.
Nairobi
Joined April 2009
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Rest Easy Rosemary
It is with deep sadness that we have learnt of the passing of Rosemary Koech, Head of Data Protection at KCB Bank Group and a valued speaker at the 2026 East Africa Data Governance Conference.
We had the rare privilege of hosting Rosemary on a plenary about the business case for privacy investment, where her insight left a lasting impression on everyone in the room. Her career carried her from legal and regulatory roles in fintech and microfinance, through public policy at Safaricom, to leading data protection at KCB, a journey that gave her a rare, practical understanding of privacy across sectors. The takeaway she left us with was simple but powerful: privacy isn't an afterthought, it's a critical investment that has to be built in from the outset.
Beyond this, she was an active member in the Data Privacy and Governance Society of Kenya (DPGSK); this reflected a genuine commitment to mentoring others, sharing knowledge freely, and helping build stronger standards for the profession as a whole.
Those who worked alongside her knew her as generous, thoughtful, and deeply dedicated to getting this right, not just for her organisation, but for the industry.
We will carry forward what she taught us, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
May she rest in peace.
Christine Ajulu retweeted
It is with deep sadness that we have learnt of the passing of Rosemary Koech, Head of Data Protection at KCB Bank Group and a valued speaker at the 2026 East Africa Data Governance Conference.
We had the rare privilege of hosting Rosemary on a plenary about the business case for privacy investment, where her insight left a lasting impression on everyone in the room. Her career carried her from legal and regulatory roles in fintech and microfinance, through public policy at Safaricom, to leading data protection at KCB, a journey that gave her a rare, practical understanding of privacy across sectors. The takeaway she left us with was simple but powerful: privacy isn't an afterthought, it's a critical investment that has to be built in from the outset.
Beyond this, she was an active member in the Data Privacy and Governance Society of Kenya (DPGSK); this reflected a genuine commitment to mentoring others, sharing knowledge freely, and helping build stronger standards for the profession as a whole.
Those who worked alongside her knew her as generous, thoughtful, and deeply dedicated to getting this right, not just for her organisation, but for the industry.
We will carry forward what she taught us, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
May she rest in peace.
Christine Ajulu retweeted
Join our Deputy Executive Director, @nyogude as she contributes to the conversation on Making Inclusive Data the Norm (MIDN).
As data increasingly shapes policies, investments, and innovation, ensuring that everyone is represented in the data we collect and use has never been more important. Inclusive data helps uncover inequalities, amplifies the voices of marginalised communities, and supports evidence-based decisions that leave no one behind.
Join the conversation and explore how making inclusive data the norm can drive more equitable and effective outcomes for communities across Africa and beyond.
@Data4SDGs @KNBStats @SpaceAgencyKE @maono_space @Hewlett_Found
#DataFest2026 #KSEC2026 #DataForDevelopment #GenderData #AIforGood #DataGovernance #WomenInData
Hey people, did you notice that @Safaricom_Care and @SafaricomPLC have introduced a safety feature on mpesa where they don't reveal your entire mobile number whenever you send money? Let's give credit where it's due, this is really cool.
Christine Ajulu retweeted
A key part of our work is building institutional capacity in data governance. In Kilifi County, we have been working closely with county officials to deliver data governance and data protection training, and support the development of a county policy framework.
Our stakeholder meeting on Tuesday 17th provided an opportunity to reflect on progress, address challenges, and identify opportunities to scale training across departments. The goal is to ensure broader institutional adoption and strengthen long-term capacity. There was a strong call for coordinated, cross-departmental efforts to drive this work forward.
Clear next steps were agreed upon, including defining departmental roles and aligning ongoing initiatives to support a cohesive and sustainable approach to data protection within @KilifiCountyGov.
This marks an important step toward building a more accountable, inclusive, and resilient data ecosystem at the county level.
@alkags @nyogude @AmnestyKenya @Hewlett_Found
#DataGovernance #Accountability
Christine Ajulu retweeted
Technology is not just about innovation or advanced data systems, it is also about people. At its core, it intersects with human experiences, emotions, and rights. This means, individuals must never be treated as products, but as people deserving dignity, respect, and protection. This is why data governance is critical.
These powerful reflections were shared by Dr. Emmanuel Mkilia, Director General of the Personal Data Protection Commission - Tanzania, during the East Africa Data Governance Conference.
Follow the conversation here: youtube.com/watch?v=SIyyReeA…
@alkags @ODPC_KE @AmnestyKenya @StrathCIPIT, @TISAKenya @pdpoUG @ASSEKnews @nyogude @EdnaKasozi @Data4SDGs
#EADataGov26 #DataGovernance #DigitalRights #DataProtection #DataSovereignty
#DigitalTransformation
Christine Ajulu retweeted
Data is currency, and it is power. When access to data and digital systems is not equitably distributed, many people are left behind, especially young women and girls.
To illustrate this reality, Lady Mariéme Jamme shared her personal story at the East Africa Data Governance Conference. Despite being Senegalese, she was left out of the national registry as a child and does not officially exist in it; she can only move around with a British passport. Her experience reflects the lived reality of many women and girls across Africa who remain invisible in data systems.
In response, she founded I Am The Code to equip young women and girls with coding skills, ensuring they are not excluded but instead can actively participate in the software development and broader data ecosystem.
Listen here: youtube.com/watch?v=Rq7qQD5C…
@alkags @ODPC_KE @AmnestyKenya @StrathCIPIT @i_amthecode @TISAKenya @pdpoUG @ikassait
@VictorNdede @nyogude @EdnaKasozi
#EADataGov26 #DataProtection #DataGovernance
Christine Ajulu retweeted
A powerful lineup of voices is coming together at the East Africa Data Governance Conference 2026.
Under the theme “Navigating Duality in Data Governance: Innovation and Accountability in East Africa,” an inspiring group of speakers will unpack the complex realities of data in our region, exploring how we can drive innovation while ensuring responsibility, trust, and accountability.
From practitioners and researchers to digital rights advocates and technology leaders, these conversations will go beyond the conference rooms, sparking ideas, challenging perspectives, and shaping how East Africa approaches data governance in the years ahead.
Expect insights, bold questions, and meaningful dialogue that will inform and shape how data is governed and utilised in promoting technological advancement in East Africa.
See the full lineup and event programme:
conference.openinstitute.afr…
@alkags , @ODPC_KE, @AmnestyKenya, @StrathCIPIT, @bajeti_hub, @KCBInKenya , @TISAKenya, @SafaricomPLC, @pdpoUG , @ASSEKnews , @UNESCO
#DataGovernance #DigitalTransformation #OpenData #DigitalRights #AfricaTech #EADGC2026 #DataGov2026
Christine Ajulu retweeted
Who decides what is counted?
“Many programs implemented by NGOs at the grassroots collect significant amounts of data, yet the communities involved are often reduced to respondents with little or no say in how that data is used. While the findings may appear in reports and publications, the very communities that provided the information rarely have access to those reports or benefit from the insights generated.
Important data is also missed when diverse voices are not included in the process. The way questions are framed, who is consulted, and how engagement is conducted can unintentionally exclude people with lived experiences, such as persons with disabilities, whose perspectives are critical to understanding reality on the ground.
The key question is: how can we design data tools and systems that make it easier for communities to access, understand, and translate their realities into meaningful insights and action?” - Lydia Furaha- Community Liaison Officer @maono_space
Follow the live conversation: youtube.com/live/SIyyReeAzuc
@alkags , @ODPC_KE, @AmnestyKenya, @StrathCIPIT, @KCBInKenya , @TISAKenya, @SafaricomPLC, @pdpoUG , @ASSEKnews , @UNESCO, @penmuri @VictorNdede, @nyogude, @EdnaKasozi
#EADataGov26 #DataGovernance #DigitalTransformation #OpenData #DigitalRights
Christine Ajulu retweeted
Christine Ajulu - Open Institute
Yoichi Iida - Co-chair, Safe and Trusted AI WG
Caitlin Kraft-Buchman - Women at the Table
Dr Mariagrazia Squicciarini - Social and Human Sciences Sector at UNESCO
@nyogude | @Open_Institute | @UNESCO
Dear @StanChartKE please stop this confusion in this new year of the Lord, when you do away with an ATM point, at least let the clients know.... the other day I was in donholm today was Total South C all ATMs stations gone. What an inconvenience!!!!
I'm shocked that some people were not happy that @RailaOdinga was accorded a state burial, comparing his grave to that of the late Emilio.... my people, Luo burials are an elaborate ceremony. With or without the state funeral directive, the grave would have still been tiled.
Christine Ajulu retweeted
Existence itself rests on a thread so thin, it trembles even in silence. One moment, you are here ; breathing, laughing, building dreams. The next, you are a story told in past tense.
The fickleness of life is not a flaw, it is its design.
Christine Ajulu retweeted
As curtains close down on #DevolutionConference2025 , we are glad to have connected, shared and celebrated the impact of our SRHR & SGBV work in Western Kenya. We now look ahead to driving policy advocacy and following up on the commitments made to expand access to quality #Health services — including SRHR & maternal, newborn and child health. #HealthForAll #DevolutionAt13 #healthcare
#JUSTICEFOROJWANG
This is painful in every way possible
1. In a conversation with a friend he asks him if he's gonna be ok.... only to end up dead.
2. He endured so much torture, pain, suffering..... only to end up dead.
3. The father released his son hoping to have him back...
Most of the time when you ask the Civil Society to share some of their challenges, "money" is always the number one problem, but we are here to demystify that, not all the problems need money, some just need us to come together and ACT @alkags @Open_Institute #CSO4Data
They say we can do more and great things when we come together..... just like in building the puzzle, we are bringing our data together, one data set at a time.
We just finished a jigsaw puzzle together and no, it wasn’t just for fun (even though it was! 😉)
It was a reminder: real impact comes piece by piece, together.
Partnership is how we complete the bigger picture.
#TogetherWeCan #PowerOfPartnership #CSODataCommons
Dear @Safaricom_Care, so you decided that you will not alert your clients before their number I deactivated and replaced?
Christine Ajulu retweeted
Finally, we have the "Ijue Data Yako" session led by @IDL_Labs on youth-led activism for digital rights & data protection in Kisumu County, exploring how to make youth-led activism sustainable & scalable
#EADataGov #DataGov25 #FichaUchi
Christine Ajulu retweeted
Last week, the The @Open_Institute was honored to receive the SDG Annual Award🏆 for our impactful work on the Voluntary National Reporting for the SDGs.
A huge thank you to @bcharagu, @nyogude, and the Programs Team for their dedication and hard work. This achievement reflects the power of partnerships and what we can accomplish together.
As we look ahead to 2025, we return to our communities inspired and ready to keep building on the change we’ve started.
Here’s to doing even more together! 🤝
@sdgskenyaforum
@alkags
