Details: How MPs Plot to Regulate Artificial Intelligence Usage in Kenya

Kenyan lawmakers are intensifying their push for comprehensive regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) usage in the country, citing growing concerns over disinformation, privacy breaches, and potential national security threats posed by unregulated AI systems.

At the heart of this legislative initiative is a motion by Aldai MP Marianne Kitany, who has called for the formulation of a robust regulatory framework to govern AI implementation across Kenya.

The motion, which has gained significant traction among parliamentarians, specifically requests the government, through the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, to develop comprehensive regulatory guidelines and ethical standards for AI use.

“Government, through the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, should formulate a regulatory framework and ethical guidelines for implementation of Artificial Intelligence in the country to control its potential misuse,” reads Kitany’s motion, which was presented to the National Assembly.

The lawmakers’ push for regulation stems from mounting concerns about AI’s potential for misuse in a country where digital literacy is still developing.

MPs have pointed to the proliferation of fake news and disinformation campaigns, many of which are now AI-powered, as primary reasons for urgent regulatory intervention.

Nambale MP Geoffrey Mulanya highlighted the immediate dangers facing Kenyan society.

“We have had cases of fake news appearing in our social media because we have young intelligent people coming up with screaming fake newspaper headlines, which causes conflict in our society,” Mulanya told the National Assembly.

The concerns extend beyond disinformation to encompass a broader range of AI-related risks that MPs believe could destabilize the country if left unchecked.

These include algorithmic discrimination, privacy invasion, financial market manipulation, job displacement, and the potential development of autonomous weapons systems.

While acknowledging AI’s transformative potential across various sectors, lawmakers have emphasized the technology’s double-edged nature.

The MPs recognize that AI has already brought significant benefits to Kenya’s healthcare, manufacturing, and robotics sectors, improving efficiency and driving innovation.

Luanda MP Dick Maungu noted the inevitability of AI adoption in Kenya’s increasingly connected society.

“We live in a society which is a global village. If we don’t have a regulatory framework, people are set to suffer,” Maungu warned, emphasizing the urgent need for proactive legislation.

Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda drew parallels with previous technological adoptions, citing how Kenyans initially resisted tea-picking machines but eventually embraced them once their benefits became apparent.

“Artificial Intelligence is a must, and if we don’t regulate it, it’s going to run ahead of us, ahead of the government, and people are going to continue using it, and they are already doing that,” Ochanda stated.

The parliamentary motion outlines a multi-faceted approach to AI regulation that goes beyond mere restriction to include education and awareness components.

MPs want the government to develop and execute a public awareness program on AI to increase understanding of the technology, foster transparency, and promote responsible usage.

MP Erick Muchangi emphasized the urgency of regulatory action, pointing to AI’s growing presence in critical sectors.

“The government must move fast and regulate AI, because it is nowadays being used in healthcare, in the education sector, so how can we not regulate it?” he questioned.

West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka has called for AI to be integrated into the curriculum of technical training institutions, signaling lawmakers’ recognition that regulation must be coupled with education and skill development.

A key concern among MPs is ensuring that AI regulation doesn’t stifle innovation while protecting employment opportunities for Kenya’s youth.

The lawmakers have cautioned against embracing AI “100 percent,” warning that unrestricted adoption could lead to significant job losses, particularly among young people who form a substantial portion of Kenya’s workforce.

This balanced approach reflects the MPs’ understanding that Kenya must navigate between harnessing AI’s benefits and protecting its citizens from potential negative consequences.

The parliamentary discussions have also highlighted national security implications of unregulated AI use.

MPs have emphasized the need for comprehensive security assessments before allowing AI systems access to critical national data, recognizing that improper AI implementation could compromise Kenya’s digital sovereignty and security infrastructure.

The push for regulation comes as Kenya seeks to improve its position in global AI adoption rankings.

According to the 2022 Government Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index report, Kenya ranked fifth in Africa and 90th globally in AI adoption readiness.

The Oxford Insights Survey 2022 placed Kenya’s AI readiness at 40.3 percent, indicating significant room for improvement.

The Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy has been working on Kenya’s National AI Strategy 2025-2030, which aims to position the country as Africa’s leading AI hub.

The Kenyan Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy has released a draft National AI Strategy for public validation.

The State Department for Parliamentary Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to coordinating the legislative agenda that will anchor Kenya’s National AI Strategy 2025–2030 in law, ensuring a strong regulatory framework for artificial intelligence adoption.

Currently, there are currently no specific laws or regulations in Kenya that directly regulate AI, making the MPs’ push for comprehensive legislation particularly timely.

The Kenya AI Strategy 2025–2030 positions itself as one of the most structured and forward-looking national frameworks in sub-Saharan Africa to date, suggesting that Kenya’s regulatory framework could serve as a model for other African nations grappling with similar AI governance challenges.

The parliamentary motion represents a critical step in Kenya’s journey toward responsible AI adoption, balancing the need for innovation with the imperative to protect citizens from potential AI-related harms.

As the debate continues in the National Assembly, the outcome could significantly influence how Kenya navigates the complex landscape of AI governance in the coming years.

The MPs’ initiative reflects a growing global trend toward AI regulation, with Kenya positioning itself to be among the first African nations to establish comprehensive AI governance frameworks. The success of this legislative effort could determine whether Kenya achieves its ambition of becoming a regional AI leader while maintaining the safety and security of its digital ecosystem.