Artificial Intelligence - Kenya

Kenya launched its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030 on 27 March 2025 via the Ministry of ICT, structured around three pillars (AI digital infrastructure, data, research & innovation) and cross-cutting enablers including governance and ethics. It is a policy framework rather than binding law.

The Artificial Intelligence Bill, 2026 (sponsored by Senator Karen Nyamu) was published as a Senate Bill dated 19 February 2026, introducing a risk-based regime modelled in part on the EU AI Act governing the development, deployment and use of AI systems.

The Bill would establish an Office of the Artificial Intelligence Commissioner as primary regulator, with penalties of up to KSh 5 million and/or up to two years' imprisonment for misuse such as generating misleading, harmful or deceptive content (e.g. deepfakes).

The AI Bill, 2026 has been published but not yet enacted; because it concerns county governments it must be considered by both the Senate and the National Assembly before any presidential assent, so no comprehensive AI law is currently in force.

The Data Protection Act, 2019 (enforced by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner) gives data subjects the right not to be subject to solely automated decisions/profiling with significant effects, and requires data protection impact assessments for high-risk automated processing.

Kenya began drafting a National AI and Emerging Technologies Policy in early 2026 to complement the 2025–2030 Strategy, with finalization targeted around June 2026.