Kenya is moving decisively to establish a National Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Policy, positioning itself as a continental leader in responsible AI adoption. The Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy (MICDE), working with KICTANet and supported by the British High Commission (BHC), has convened stakeholder workshop pre-consolidation briefings to refine the policy.
The BHC’s involvement reflects the broader UK–Kenya strategic partnership on responsible AI, aimed at advancing ethical, inclusive, and transparent governance frameworks across Africa.
The academic and research institutions roundtable, held in Nairobi on Tuesday highlighted the indispensable role of universities and research centers in shaping Kenya’s digital future.
Why Kenya Needs a Unified AI Policy
Artificial Intelligence, robotics, blockchain, 5G/6G, quantum computing, and drones are already transforming Kenya’s economy, governance, and society. Yet adoption is outpacing regulation, institutional readiness, and ethical safeguards.
The policy briefing notes that existing frameworks such as the Digital Master Plan (2022–2032), the Data Protection Act (2019), and the Kenya AI Strategy (2025–2030), are important but fragmented.
Academia’s Voice in Policy Development
The roundtable brought together government representatives, university leaders from Jomo Kenyatta University of Arts and Technology (JKUAT), Multimedia University, Karatina University, Egerton University, Strathmore University, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, United States International University, Open University, Kisii University, University of Embu, Riara University, University of Nairobi, Murang’a university, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology and researchers from AFRALTI, Action Lab, to refine policy directions.
Participants emphasised that academia is not just a stakeholder but a cornerstone in Kenya’s AI ecosystem, responsible for training talent, driving innovation, and ensuring ethical safeguards.
“We cannot talk about AI policy without embedding research and education at its core,” said Dr Grace Githaiga, CEO KICTANet during the opening of the session. “Our students are already using AI tools in classrooms. The question is not whether to allow it, but how to guide its responsible use.”
Researchers highlighted gaps in funding and infrastructure, noting that while Kenya has a vibrant startup ecosystem, academic research often struggles to secure sustained investment.
“Money follows good ideas,” one participant observed, “but without patient capital for long‑term research, we risk remaining consumers of foreign technology rather than creators of our own.”
Key Issues Raised
- Curriculum Modernisation: Calls were made to integrate AI literacy and applied skills from early education through to postgraduate levels. “We must prepare learners not just to consume AI, but to build it,” said a lecturer from the University of Nairobi.
- Ethics and Safeguards: Concerns around trust, safety, and academic integrity were central. Participants debated how to address issues such as students using AI to cheat, and how to embed ethical guardrails in both education and public service delivery.
- Data and Infrastructure: The need for interoperable, high‑quality datasets was flagged as a priority. Researchers urged the creation of national standards for data documentation and safe sandboxes for innovation.
- Funding and Inclusion: Limited research funding and fragmented institutional mandates were seen as barriers. Participants stressed the importance of inclusive policies that bridge the digital divide and ensure marginalized groups benefit from AI adoption.
Building Trust and Local Capacity
The discussions reflected a broader concern about sovereignty and dependency on foreign technologies. “If we do not build local capacity, we risk being perpetual end‑users,” cautioned one researcher. “Kenya must invest in its own algorithms, datasets, and centers of excellence to secure its digital future.”
At the same time, participants acknowledged the need for global partnerships. The UK’s support was welcomed as a signal of international confidence in Kenya’s AI ambitions.
“Partnerships must be fair and non‑extractive,” noted a policy expert. “Kenya should benefit as much as its collaborators.”
Thematic Policy Pillars
The policy process is structured around thematic working groups, each addressing a critical dimension:
- Capacity Development & Human Capital: Building a sovereign, technically proficient workforce, with safeguards for decent work and child protection.
- Data for AI: Establishing dataset standards, interoperability, safe reuse mechanisms, and cross‑border governance.
- Environment & Green Intelligence: Requiring sustainability disclosures, anti‑greenwashing measures, and protections for water‑stressed basins.
- Research, Innovation & Ecosystem Development: Positioning Kenya as Africa’s leading AI innovation hub, driving GDP growth and job creation.
- Sectoral Applications: Embedding ethical committees, risk registers, and sector‑specific safeguards in agriculture, health, education, and climate.
- Governance, Regulation & Standards: Clarifying institutional leadership, embedding risk awareness, and ensuring lawful, transparent, and accountable AI use.
- Ethics, Safety, Security & Inclusion: Ensuring AI protects human dignity, supports democratic values, and promotes equitable access.
Kenya’s AI policy process is now in the sectoral engagement phase, with upcoming roundtables involving civil society, media, private sector, and national and county governments. These inputs will feed into policy drafting, validation, and eventual approval.