Kenya moves to regulate AI in new strategic plan

This is according to the Kenya National AI Strategy (Draft) for 2025-2030 which aims at harnessing AI's potential to drive the country's economic growth.    

The plan also seeks to position Kenya as an African leader in leveraging AI to achieve national goals. 

This will be achieved through seven themes: AI digital infrastructure, data, AI Research and Development, talent development, governance, investments and ethics. 

"This strategy envisages Kenya: being at the forefront of quality AI research and development and creating innovative and ethical solutions that address the needs of our local but diverse communities," the statement read in part. 

"Leveraging local talent, datasets, and creativity to transform priority sectors and create inclusive economic growth."

Part of the strategic plan involves developing a national framework that would regulate the technology's best uses. To effect this, the State plans to establish a task force to respond to opportunities and emerging threats from AI.  

The task force would establish protocols to safeguard sensitive data while allowing for wider accessibility. 

Another strategy involves investing in AI infrastructure by implementing a national broadband program that will consist of high-speed internet and 5G networks. 

The infrastructure will be powered by green energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal to reduce environmental impact.

The State also plans to partner with global tech companies through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to develop innovative means to tap into AI potential. 

This would be through incentivizing investors to channel their funds for the creation of local data labs to train the youth on AI's potential. 

Another theme includes launching a public awareness campaign on AI rights, disinformation and misinformation to curb its misuse.

Stakeholders and civil servants will be educated on the ethical and equitable use of the technology. 

The strategies outlined will be key in building a competent and agile workforce to steer the country forward on matters of technology. 

The draft strategy comes as the government is battling to tame the use of AI among Kenyan youths who have resorted to generating AI images to express their disaffection. 

Various political leaders have condemned the practice and warned of dire consequences for the image creators. 

“There are those making those pictures with our leaders in coffins; I want to ask every parent, particularly church leaders, to defend this bad behaviour. If your child goes to school and another child whom they share the same class sends a picture when your child has been put in a coffin, will you still defend that behaviour?” Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen posed in Uasin Gishu on January 10, 2025. 

"We’re going to relook at this behaviour and we will make sure we charge all of those who are using this social media to threaten others because if we don’t do so, we will not have an orderly country; we must bring order to our country because we want Kenyans to live in a country of order," he added.