WordCamp 2012 set for this weekend at Maanzoni Lodge

WordCamp Kenya Conference, which features Orange as the title sponsor, is finally here and takes place this weekend at Maanzoni Lodge, in Machakos.

The two-day event, set for November 10-11, 2012, is being held under the theme: “Responsible Blogging and Positive Influence on Social Media” and  will focus primarily on the role of the social media as an emerging medium of communication as well as other aspects of blogging, social media and digital publishing.

Social media’s accessibility and the freedom of speech and expression as enshrined in the Kenyan constitution have helped grow Kenya’s online presence. This has led to more people being able to freely express themselves by way of the internet, reaching wide audiences both locally and globally.

Speaking during the pre-event press briefing ahead of the conference, Telkom Kenya’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Angela Ng’ang’a-Mumo, reiterated the support and efforts from Orange to actively engage with various stakeholders on the social media and blogging scene, as the company increases data penetration levels in the country.

While the conference aims to equip participants with knowledge and expertise on how to improve their blogging as well as social media experience in the long-term, its other major objective is to give special attention to responsible political blogging and social interaction.

This is especially key as the country gears for its watershed general elections in March 4, 2013 with most politicians getting online and embracing social media tools and platforms to influence votes in their direction as well as disseminate their political messages.

“This is a positive change that could however end up being used as a channel of incitement and abuse of these fundamental rights if used irresponsibly, more so as Kenya prepares for its first general elections after the 2007/2008 violence,” said David Mugo, the key organiser of the  WordCamp Kenya 2012 confrence.

Among the speakers are popular blogger Moses Kemibaro;  Benji Ndolo; poet and writer Njeri Wangare and ePublisher Kimathi Constable. Isaac Keyet will speak on the technical aspects of Mobile WordPress while Brian Wangila will be dispelling WordPress myths with Gloria Maingi tackling the topic of women and democracy. Other speakers will be drawn from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).

The event will also be live streamed to Uganda’s Outbox Hub and Tanzania’s Kinu Innovation lab where two speakers are also expected to speak through Google Hangouts.

For more info, check Wordcamp site here

Kennedy Kachwanya1087 Posts

--- Kennedy Kachwanya is a technology blogger interested in mobile phones both smart and dumb, mobile apps, mobile money, social media, startups ecosystem and digital Savannah. New media must not forget the strength of old tech.

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