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Greetings, readers! I’m Hosea Ogari. I recently embarked on a transformative two-day mission across Western Kenya advocating for online safety with incredible collaborators, passionate students  and a powerful reminder: the internet never forgets. Let me take you behind the scenes of this inspiring journey!

Day 1: Kaimosi University – Where Strategy Meets Innovation

My journey kicked off at Kaimosi University, where I joined forces with Margaret Mmbone and Derrick Odhiambo (Vihiga County’s champions) to lead their Online Safety Program. The university’s safety students dove headfirst into discussions on phishing, data encryption, and the ethics of digital freedom with help from Anita, Regional lead in Rift Valley region.

One standout moment? A student’s fiery question: “Can we truly balance privacy with transparency online?” Margaret expertly steered the debate, emphasizing that “safety isn’t about hiding—it’s about controlling your narrative.” Derrick then demonstrated secure browsing tools, leaving the crowd scribbling notes.

But the real magic happened offstage. Over chai breaks, Margaret shared her vision for county-wide digital literacy hubs. Derrick grinned: “Imagine a Vihiga where every student  critiques privacy policies!” The energy was contagious.

A Short Walk, A Lifelong Lesson: Kaimosi Girls’ School

Just a gate away from the university,Anita Jepchumba, the Rift Valley’s regional lead for digital advocacy led the session at Kaimosi Girls’ High School. Together, we shifted gears from theoretical debates to urgent, real-world lessons for teens.

Anita opened with a hard truth: “Your digital footprint is like a tattoo—easy to create, painful to remove.” The room fell silent as we dissected screen time addiction, oversharing, and the permanence of online actions. When my time came, The students dared me to dance. I did it so well and reminded them of how multi-talented I am.  I also played them a Jambo bwana song as I remembered ten years ago when I was a student and we released a joint exam at the same hall. The students realized that I was not a total stranger but a friend to the school.

The “Roasted Maia” Metaphor:
Walking between the university and the girls’ school, I passed vendors roasting maize, their laughter echoing as they savored the fleeting joy of a hot snack. It hit me: many treat the internet like street food, quick, satisfying, but with consequences that linger. I shared this with the girls: “What you post isn’t like mahindi choma. It won’t vanish after you’re done. It’s a permanent plate “The girls erupted into interactive takeaways:

• Digital Detox Workshops: Tracking screen time (cue gasps at 6-hour TikTok binges).
• Reporting Role-Plays: “What if someone DMs you asking for your personal info?” Practice blocking and reporting! 

By the end, Anita identified a student who was most active and awarded her #SaferTogether t-shirt ” Small steps, giant leaps!

Day 2: Lugulu Boarding Primary School – Building Foundations with Henry and Anita

After taking a night’s rest at Vihiga, the next morning, We traveled to Lugulu, Bungoma County, reuniting  Henry Kisaka, a teacher and local educator with a passion for child’s safety. Here, we simplified cybersecurity for wide-eyed 8–17-year-old and trained 7 Jasiris who were interested in #SaferTogether  program 

Henry kicked things off: “Who here knows what a hacker is?” A boy shouted, “A bad guy who steals Robux!” Cue laughter and a lesson on “good” vs. “bad” hackers.

We turned fear into fun:

• The Password Game: Inventing silly-but-strong passwords (“GiraffeDances#Moon!”).
• Stranger Danger Skits: Henry played a “fake friend” online, and the kids roared, “Block him!”
• Internet Promise Trees: Students hung paper leaves with pledges like “I’ll ask Mum before clicking!”

Anita closed with a rallying cry: “You’re not too young to be heroes. Protect yourselves, protect This journey wasn’t solo—it was powered by grassroots champions:

• Margaret & Derrick (Vihiga): Bridging policy and practice at the university.
• Anita (Rift Valley): Scaling impact from teens to tiny tots with passion.
• Henry (Bungoma): Making  online safety relatable for rural classrooms.

Whether debating at universities or giggling with kids, our message was clear: digital safety is a right, not a privilege. As we took matatus back to Vihiga for the night, I glued my eyes to the sunset hoping that our young adults would let their lights shine while taking breaks from social media, just as the sun set into the Horizon of Mount Elgon.
I would like to thank Principal Kaimosi Girls Ms. Rose Asiligwa, Scout Leader Janet Angalikah, Kaimosi University Vice Chancellor Prof. Peter Mwita, Dean of Students: Dr. Were Dinah , Scout leader Mr. Joseph Sandagi Kidake, Judith Musoga of  Kaimosi Teachers Training College and  Webuye East Sub County Commissioner Jeanfranciscar Kunusia.

To Margaret, Derrick, Anita, and Henry, thank you for turning passion into action. To the students: keep questioning, learning, and leading. The internet’s future is in your hands.

Hosea Ogari
Business Development Manager
www.eveminet.co.ke 

P.S. Curious about Kaimosi University’s programs? Visit their website to join the movement! And remember: your posts outlive your presence. Choose wisely.