Kenya's MPs open a month-long inquiry into AI as they weigh a standalone law

Kenya's National Assembly has given its Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation one month to table a report on how deeply AI has spread into the academic and health sectors, as lawmakers consider a standalone law to guide the use of AI, as reported by the Daily Nation on 18 October. The committee, chaired by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, is expected to hear from officials of the education and health ministries among other stakeholders, and to look at concerns about data privacy, cybersecurity and academic integrity. It will also review the laws, policies, regulations and safeguards that currently apply to AI, including on data protection, accountability and harmful uses. According to the report, MPs said Kenya has no clear national framework that both promotes AI innovation and protects citizens. The inquiry itself creates no new rules.

What it means for business: no new obligations yet; organisations using AI in Kenya, especially in education and health, may want to follow the committee's report, which could shape a future national AI law.