Kenya takes Steps to Curb the Misuse of AI
Kenya has announced regulatory measures to be put in place to curb misinformation arising from the misuse of AI and said to threaten democracy. At the launch of the Fifth National Action Plan on Open Government Partnership in Nairobi, President William Ruto outlined the government’s efforts to address the misuse of advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).[1]
The plan focuses on advancing transparency, accountability, and public engagement in governance. It also emphasizes working with international partners to promote the ethical use of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). The initiative comes at a time when the rising fears about AI-driven disinformation and unrest threaten to manipulate public opinion, disrupt elections, and weaken trust in democratic institutions worldwide.
Particularly in Kenya, In 2021, reports surfaced online of AI-generated deepfakes featuring Kenyan politicians making provocative statements.[2] This quickly spread rapidly on social media, overwhelming the public. Similarly, in February 2023, an Israeli firm, Team Jorge was implicated in manipulating Kenyan elections by deploying social media bots and engaging in hacking to discredit a candidate.
Despite these challenges, Kenya has continued to embrace AI. In April 2024, the government partnered with the German organization, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to develop a National AI Strategy aimed at driving digital transformation.[3] This followed the Kenya Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Society’s proposal of a law imposing penalties of up to 24 months of imprisonment, fines of up to KSh 1 million ($6,250), or both, for operating unlicensed AI or robotic entities. The bill also outlines the establishment of the Kenya Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Society, which will regulate the Internet of Things, robotics, and AI, advise the government, ensure compliance, and promote ethical AI practices.
[1] Ibid.
[2] Abdullah Ajibade, “Kenya announces regulatory measures to curb AI-driven disinformation” TechPoint <https://techpoint.africa/2024/09/12/kenya-announces-regulatory-measures/
[3] Ibid.
