Determining the ways Kenyans might influence the development of artificial intelligence in the future
In the global race to embrace artificial intelligence (AI), Kenya is making strides, joining countries like Mauritius, Egypt, Zambia, Tunisia, and Botswana in establishing national AI programs. However, the AI Readiness Index 2023 ranks sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, as the lowest-scoring region in AI readiness, with the East African nation placed 101st out of 193 countries.
Kenya's approach to AI governance emphasises inclusivity, transparency, and public engagement. Key ICT policy stakeholder, KICTANet, is actively shaping Kenya’s AI governance by convening multi-stakeholder forums, drafting transparent policies such as the AI Statement of Principles, and running AI literacy campaigns through seminars and online resources. Additionally, young activists are leveraging AI tools to interpret legislative texts and mobilise civic engagement digitally, thereby organically increasing AI literacy and public participation from the grassroots level.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist. Digital inequality risks excluding rural communities, marginalised groups, and persons with disabilities from meaningful participation. The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025, for example, has been criticised for potentially widening the digital divide and shrinking digital civic space by increasing regulatory controls without adequate public consultation or safeguards.
Ensuring inclusive participation requires addressing these socio-economic and infrastructural barriers alongside promoting transparency and comprehensive stakeholder consultation. The Youth Cafe, a social enterprise in Kenya, engages in public participation projects that address local contexts and are available in different regional languages and formats. One such project is the AI-driven Youth Voter Education initiative, which focuses on young people's AI literacy and involves them in data collection across various Kenyan counties.
Moreover, the lack of explicit AI laws and regulations in Kenya delegates decision-making aspects to a few private global players. Early public participation in AI legislation guarantees that decision-makers avoid preconceived positions on regulation and results in more inclusive and robust policies. Kenyan county governments are best placed to work with local communities and include marginalised groups by selecting the appropriate participatory mechanism in each instance.
Kenya's AI policy framework is still in its early stages, leaving AI development and deployment essentially unregulated. However, the country has passed the Data Protection Act 2019 and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act 2018, which, while important, are not sufficient to ensure AI and data work in the public's best interest.
The Kenyan government can draw on the mechanism of public participation to regulate AI in a way that reflects the social and cultural diversity of the country. The People Dialogue Festival event of 2024, organised by the Youth Cafe, held advocacy talks and discussions on public participation in legislative AI and data-related reforms with various groups in Kenya.
Kenya is not alone in its AI journey. Thirty-five African countries have adopted data protection laws, while Nigeria has established the first African National Center for AI and Robotics. Rwanda, Mauritius, and Egypt are the first African countries to have national AI strategies. As Kenya continues to navigate its AI landscape, it will undoubtedly learn from and contribute to these collective efforts, striving for an AI future that benefits all its citizens.
Achieving widespread AI literacy is crucial for effective public participation in Kenya. This requires improving both technical skills and understanding of the social implications of AI. The Youth Cafe recognises the Kenyan youth's desire to use AI in their day-to-day lives and aims to engage people with youth-centered activities and promote AI educational initiatives, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building programs.
Kenya's journey towards inclusive AI governance is marked by both progress and challenges. With sustained efforts, transparency, and public engagement, Kenya can ensure that its AI development and deployment align with the needs and interests of its diverse population.
- The Kenyan government, through organizations like KICTANet, emphasizes inclusivity in AI governance by convening multi-stakeholder forums, drafting transparent policies, and running AI literacy campaigns to promote AI education and public participation, even from the grassroots level.
- The lack of explicit AI laws and regulations in Kenya, coupled with the potential widening of the digital divide as seen in the Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025, highlights the need for early public participation in AI legislation to ensure decision-makers avoid preconceived positions and result in more inclusive and robust policies that benefit all citizens.
