Wikimedia Kenya UserGroup/Strategic Plan/2026-2027
Theme: “Shaping Knowledge Equity through Collaboration, Culture, and Community”
Executive Summary
[edit]The Wikimedia Kenya User Group (WMKE-UG) is a volunteer-driven affiliate of the Wikimedia Foundation dedicated to advancing free knowledge, media literacy, and digital inclusion in Kenya. This 2026–2027 Strategic Plan sets a clear roadmap to guide the User Group’s growth, partnerships, and community impact over the next two years.
The strategy focuses on five key priorities: Content Development, Community Growth, Partnerships, Capacity Building & Leadership Development, and Advocacy & sustainability. It integrates lessons learned from the 2024–2025 cycle marked by 51% community growth and the establishment of impactful partnerships with local and global organizations. The plan also aligns with Wikimedia’s global Movement Strategy 2030 by promoting equity, inclusion, and knowledge as a public good and the Afrika Agenda.
Strategic Plan Development Process
[edit]The development of this plan followed a participatory process led by Wikimedia Kenya’s Co-Founders,Campaign Organisers and the wider community. First, through the CLI Leadership Program by the Issroff Foundation that our Co-Founders were involved in 2025, which provided actionable steps and the capacity to kickstart the process, followed by an in-person strategic planning workshop held on Mazingira Day (October 10, 2025) that provided a space for reflection, visioning, and co-creation. Participants reviewed past achievements, identified challenges, and defined key priorities for 2026–2027. Input was also gathered through online discussions and consultations with other stakeholders that include regional peers and partners.
Organizational Background
[edit]Founded in 2019 and officially recognized as a Wikimedia affiliate in 2022, Wikimedia Kenya User Group is committed to promoting open knowledge, digital literacy, and access to information in Kenya and Africa at large. Through campaigns such as Wiki Loves Africa, Wiki for Human Rights, and Art + Feminism, Months of African Cinema, the group has built an active volunteer community that contributes to the visibility of Kenyan content on Wikipedia and other Wikimedia platforms.
Vision, Mission, and Values
Vision: A Kenya where every individual can freely access, create, and share accurate knowledge that reflects our cultural and social diversity.
Mission: To empower communities across Kenya to contribute to open knowledge through inclusive Digital Literacy, strengthening Local Content creation, and growing a vibrant community of Free Knowledge Advocates
Core Values:
[edit]- Collaboration and Inclusivity
- Transparency and Accountability
- Ethical Innovation
Theory of Change
[edit]Wikimedia Kenya’s Theory of Change is built on the belief that access to information and digital inclusion are fundamental drivers of knowdge equity and social development. By empowering communities to create and share knowledge freely, we strengthen local voices, preserve cultural heritage, and bridge information gaps across Kenya.
Inputs such as skills training, mentorship, and partnerships enable individuals and institutions to engage in open knowledge projects. This leads to increased digital literacy, representation, and participation in global knowledge spaces. Over time, these actions contribute to a more informed, connected, and empowered society that values openness, truth, and collaboration.
Partnerships as the Bridge to :
Scale Impact:Partnerships connect every stage of this change process — from inputs to impact. They provide the resources, expertise, and networks that will enable Wikimedia Kenya to scale projects, spar Community growth, embed open knowledge practices in institutions, and ensure long-term sustainability through resource mobilization. Through shared ownership and collaboration, these alliances transform open knowledge from a volunteer movement into a sustained, cross-sector effort driving digital empowerment and knowledge equity.
Advocacy: In an era where digital policies increasingly shape freedoms of expression and access to information, Wikimedia Kenya recognizes advocacy as essential to sustaining an open knowledge ecosystem. We believe that empowering our communities to understand and engage with laws that govern the digital space strengthens both their agency and our collective voice.
Through awareness, capacity building, and informed participation, we aim to position Wikimedia Kenya at the forefront of public policy discussions and civic forums — in line with the Constitution of Kenya’s commitment to public participation.
Our advocacy work will focus on analyzing and demystifying key legal frameworks such as the Data Protection Act and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, ensuring that contributors and citizens alike can navigate, influence, and safeguard digital freedoms.
By fostering informed advocacy and sustained dialogue, we strengthen the foundation for long-term sustainability — where open knowledge thrives in an enabling, rights-respecting environment.
Strategic Priorities 2026–2027
[edit]1. Content Development & Knowledge Equity
- Expand Kenyan content across Wikimedia projects in the following Topics of Impact; cultural, heritage, language, gender and human rights.
- Launch ‘Wiki Loves Heritage Kenya’ and develop annual ‘Topics of Impact’ projects & campaigns.
- Support local-language digitization (Luo, Ogiek, Giriama).
- Host edit-a-thons, photowalks and translat-a-thons to document Topics of Impact
2. Community Growth & Engagement
- Establish regional Wikimedia communities in Pwani, Kisumu, Machakos, and Eldoret Counties.
- Develop Project Plan for the Pwani Wiki Club scheduled to launch in February 2025
- Develop mentorship and newcomer onboarding programs and resources.
- Grow to 300 active editors by 2027 with 85% retention.
- Establish regular community feedback surveys to inform outreach, engagement and strengthen decision-making making.
3. Partnerships & Sustainability
- Register Wikimedia Kenya UG as a non-profit entity.
- Formalize partnerships with media, universities, Embassies and cultural institutions.
- Host joint campaigns promoting open knowledge, arts, and digital literacy.
4. Capacity Building & Leadership Development
- Implement a Train-the-Trainers program for Campaign Leads.
- Facilitate quarterly workshops and regional leadership exchanges.
- Sponsor members for international Wikimedia and Digital Rights events.
- Copyright,
5. Sustainability, Media Engagement & Advocacy
- Develop a communications strategy, revamp our meta page and set up a website.
- Strengthen advocacy for freedom of information and digital inclusion.
- Build financial resilience through grants, partnerships, and community fundraising.
- Host workshops and forums on digital rights and open knowledge laws
- Participate in national and regional policy consultations
- Publish advocacy briefs and articles on emerging digital policy issues
- Collaborate with partners (e.g. Ministry of ICT, Access Now, KICTANet, Article 19) to advance civic participation
Implementation Framework
[edit]Impact Measurement
Wikimedia Kenya will adopt a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) to measure impact and implement a data driven approach. Content Develpment and community growth will largely be monitored and evaluated through a framework aligned with the Wikimedia Community. Quarterly reviews, Campaign dashboards, and community surveys will measure progress against defined targets. Key indicators include growth in active editors, diversity of content, number of partnerships established, new funders unlocked and participation in leadership programs.(Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Framework)
| Strategic Priority | Key Actions | Lead(s) | Timeline | Resources Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content Development | Documenting Topics of Impact | Programs Committee | 2026-2027 | Trainners, Funding,cameras |
| Community Growth | Mentorship & Outreach, Capacity building,Regional Wiki Clubs | People &Community Committee | 2026 | Team Lead,Facilitators |
| Partnerships & Sustainability | Registration, Established collaborations with at least 10 partner institutions | Strategic Advisor, Partnerships Committee | Q1 2026 | Legal fees, monthly retainer |
| Leadership Development | ToT, workshops and Conferences | Team Lead, Programs Committee | 2026 | Trainning Budget |
| Advocacy | Website, Media Strategy, Enhanced public understanding of open knowledge and digital inclusion | Communications Committee | Q2 2026 | M&E Consultant |
Operating Plan (summary)
[edit]We plan to establish four committees to steer the implementation of our strategic priorities and also recruit a consultant to serve as Strategic Advisor, Creative Economy & Partnerships. The committees will include Programs, Resource Mobilization,, Community Growth & Leadership Development and Communications. Each committee will deliver quarterly reports and collaborate through an annual reflection and learning meeting. The respective committee Leads will report to the Team Lead/ Executive Director, who will report to the board once it’s in place. The success of this strategic plan will depend on active volunteerism, community growth,funding, transparent communication, and ongoing collaboration with regional and global partners.
Resource Allocation
Resources will be allocated to for the development and implementation of various programs designed to drive community engagement and wellness, contents creation, partnerships, capacity building, leadership development and and the overall growth within our communities in line with our strategic prioroties.
Funding will be allocated for our content development thematic areas aimed at shrinking content gaps, micro-grants to continue to support our first Wiki club in Pwani University and activities in two other institutions where we intend to establish similar clubs. Resources will also be dedicated to create localised newcomer onboarding resources , which will promote inclusion and meaningfully engagement tosupport for our projects.
Resources will also be allocated for staff supports who coordinate our community activities and programs. Funding will be allocated for operational costs that will include registering as a non-profit for legal status and to enable us engage with partners and join relevant civil sociaetty networks to ensure the smooth and efficient running of our programs.
Resources will be allocated to monitoring and evaluating ongoing projects to track project progress, identify challenges and opportunities in order to provide data-driven project planning and strategies. Finally, efforts will be made to enhance community engagement and wellness strategies, ensuring that members remain actively involved and invested in our projects. This comprehensive allocation of resources aims to strengthen our communities, create a sense of belonging, and ensure the successful execution of our various programs.
Operating Plan - Overview
[edit]| Focus Area | Strategic Priority | Activities | Resources Needed | Timeline | Person(s) Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content Development & Knowledge Equity | -Focus on contributing factual, verified content on Wikipedia, Wikidata & Wiki Commons aligned with the Topics of Impact
|
- Host edit-a-thons, photowalks and translate-a-thons
-Capacity building Training for newcommers -Fact-checking trainings -Copyright and digital rights laws sensitization forums -New language incubation Coordinate Local language documentation activities
|
- Event venues
-facilitators/trainers - Data support - Childcare support - Transport facilitation |
Annual | Programs Commitee/Campaign Organisers |
| Prioritizing Topics of Impact through local & global campaigns | - Wiki Kenya Loves Heritage
- Months of Kenyan Cinema - Wiki Loves Human Rights - Gender & Digital Rights & Inclusion. |
Project Plans, Logistics to support events/activities | Q1&Q2 | Campaign Organisers, Strategic Advisor | |
| Partnerships | -Establish clear areas of support and egangagement with identified partners
-Fundraising to support programs - Formalise engagement with ICT Ministry on County ICT Hubs collaboration Sign MOU that includes funding support with Kenya fILM commission, Women in Film Awards, Kenya Editors Guild, French, UK, US & Australia Embassy |
Key stakeholder meetings and engagements
Proposal Writings Co-Hosting events such as edit-a-thons/Photowalks |
Recruit a Strategic Advisor Creative Economy &Partnerships to lead the work
|
Q1&Q2 | Partnerships Committee
Strategic Advisor,Partnerships |
| Capacity Building &Leadership Development | Training of Trainers, Workshops and Conferences | - Capacity Building Workshops
- Wellness Activities - Financially support at least 2 members to attend wikimania, Wiki Indaba and other Intl Digital Rights events such as RightsCon, DRIFF, FIFAfrica
|
Trainers
Venue data , childcare and transport facilitation for participants Funding to cover flights, accommodation and conference fee |
Q1&Q2 | Programs Committee
Strategic Advisor Creative Economy &Partnerships |
| Community Growth | Formation of Wiki Kenya Clubs in learning institutions in atleast 3 Counties
Consistent Virtual Monthly Meetups Newcommer onboarding Resources Team Building activities to create & enhance a culture of belonging &team work AGM
|
- Establish Atleast 3 Wiki Clubs
- Pwani University Wiki Club (launch in February 2026 Wiki Club - Eldoret Wiki Club - Kisumu Wiki Club - Zoom Account to allow recording, Break out rooms - Developing localised short video tutorials and guidebook on creating pages and editing -Community Feedback Surveys - Legal requirements
|
- Laptops (3)
- Secure a Meeting Room - Zoom subscription - Micro grants to support club activities - meals, transport |
Q1,Q2 | Team Lead/ED, Admin,program committee |
| Advocacy & Sustainability | Register Wikimedia Kenya User group a Non-Profit Organization
- Participate in national and regional policy consultations. -Publish advocacy briefs and articles on emerging digital policy issues -Collaborate with partners (e.g., Access Now, KICTANet, Article 19) to advance civic participation -Develop a Fundraising Strategy |
- Website Development
- Social media management |
Logistics support and govt fees | Q1,Q2 | Strategic Advisor Creative Economy &Partnerships |
Annual Budget Projections - USD 46,667
[edit]2026/2027 Proposed Budget
Conclusion
This Strategic Plan reaffirms Wikimedia Kenya’s commitment to advancing knowledge equity, digital inclusion, and community empowerment. By localizing global Wikimedia goals and nurturing partnerships across Kenya, WMKE-UG seeks to strengthen its impact and ensure that every Kenyan can contribute to and benefit from the world’s shared knowledge.