MP Kitany warns of AI risks in Kenya, calls for national regulatory framework

Aldai Member of Parliament Marianne Kitany now wants the Government to swiftly develop a comprehensive regulatory and ethical framework for the use and development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in Kenya.

In a motion tabled in the National Assembly, Kitany drew attention to the increasing influence of AI in society, emphasizing that while the technology offers efficiency and innovation, it also poses significant risks if adopted without appropriate safeguards.

“The world is rapidly embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is the use of a digital computer or computer-controlled robots to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings,” she told the House

“The exponential rate at which Artificial Intelligence is being embraced in the society without proper regulatory mechanisms has caused various negative consequences such as rising cases of disinformation and fake news,” she added.

Citing the 2022 Government Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index report, Kitany pointed out that Kenya ranked 5th in Africa and 90th globally in its preparedness to adopt AI. She also referenced the Oxford Insights Survey of 2022, where Kenya achieved a 40.3% score in readiness—figures that indicate potential but also highlight the urgent need for governance.

“There is need to protect Kenyans from the potential AI-instigated harms such as privacy breaches, AI-powered fake technology algorithms, algorithmic discrimination, autonomous weapons, job displacement and economic inequality, social manipulation and misinformation, financial market manipulation, and privacy invasion,” Kitany warned.

The motion also calls on the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy to lead the creation of a legal framework and ethical guidelines for responsible AI use. Additionally, Kitany proposed the establishment of a national public awareness campaign to educate citizens about the opportunities and threats posed by AI.

Kitany further stressed that the formulation of AI policy should be inclusive, engaging key stakeholders from the private sector, academia, civil society, and the tech community to ensure a people-centred approach that balances innovation with public safety.