Kabarak University media students benefited from a one-day training session on digital democracy and countering misinformation, organized by the Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO) Kenya in collaboration with the Embassy of Finland in Nairobi. The training, held at the KABUO Conference Room, was part of the rollout of the Rapid Digital Alert Hubs Initiative, aimed at strengthening youth capacity to identify and combat mis/disinformation in the digital space.
The event was spearheaded by the Dean of the School of Music and Media, Dr. Michael Ndonye, together with CRECO Executive Chairman, Mr. Joshua Chang’wony. The training followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CRECO Kenya and Kabarak University, signaling a long-term partnership to promote digital democracy and civic engagement among students.
During the session, students were taken through critical lessons on the nature and dangers of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. Facilitators emphasized how false narratives spread online can mislead citizens, weaken democracy, and even incite conflict. Students also learned how to verify information sources, fact-check content, and use digital tools responsibly to avoid becoming victims or agents of harmful content.
Another key area of focus was the role of the Constitution in safeguarding democratic rights and freedoms. By linking constitutional values to responsible digital engagement, students gained a deeper understanding of their responsibility as informed citizens in shaping Kenya’s democratic future.
Speaking during the event, staff members from the School of Music and Media appreciated the partnership, noting that empowering students with digital literacy skills is crucial in today’s information age. Mr. Chang’wony echoed this, stressing that youth are central in countering online misinformation.
The training concluded with a call to action for students to become digital ambassadors of truth—promoting credible information and strengthening democracy both within and beyond the university community.
