Statement: The Open Institute Announces Leadership Transition
After twelve years at the helm, Al Kags has left the role of Executive Director of…
WE ARE OPEN
Fostering open, informed communities where citizens actively engage with transparent governments for sustainable development.
The Open Institute Announces Leadership Transition
After twelve years at the helm, Al Kags has left the role of Executive Director of the Open Institute. This is in accordance with the organisation’s ongoing succession planning framework. Co-founder Jay Bhalla has been appointed Interim Executive Director and will lead the organisation through this period while a search for a new Executive Director is conducted.
the highlight reel
Introducing AI Mtaani!
For many communities in underserved and remote areas, artificial intelligence (AI) still feels out of reach. It is often seen as complex, technical, and disconnected from everyday realities.
So we asked ourselves a simple question: What if we brought AI to the grassroots and created a space where people could learn through real examples, hands-on demos, and familiar language rather than heavy technical jargon?
That question birthed AI Mtaani, our newest programme in Maono Space. Our goal is to make AI practical, accessible, and relevant to everyday life for 10,000 small business owners, 10,000 students, and 1,000 teachers across Kilifi County.
the highlight reel
Between the Truth and the Brown Envelope
Every so often, the work forces you to stop, take a breath, and admit what you’ve really seen. Over the past year, our teams from the Open Institute and the Association of Freelance Journalists have sat in many sessions with journalists in Kilifi County, listening to their stories, their frustrations, their dreams…
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Evidence Mkononi: Putting the Power of Data Back into Community Hands
Across many communities, data is constantly being collected about people’s needs, challenges, and lived realities. Yet,…
AI Mtaani: Making Artificial Intelligence Practical for Communities That Need it Most
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Beyond the Brown Envelope: Rebuilding Trust in Kenya’s Media
The brown envelope is quietly reorganising Kenya’s journalism, deciding what stories get told and which ones…
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Grassroots journalists in Kenya face an uphill battle. In counties like Kilifi, reporters navigate underfunded newsrooms,…
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If you were to count every hour spent preparing meals, cleaning homes, tending to children, or…
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Citizens in Kilifi met with their Governor and his cabinet to present their needs – with…
From Voice to Action: How Grassroots Citizens are Shaping Democracy in Kilifi
Every year on 15th September, the world pauses to mark the International Day of Democracy, a…
