Nairobi: The government has initiated a new policy framework to regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, as a new study warned that AI-generated misinformation could pose a significant threat to the credibility of Kenya’s 2027 General Election if left unchecked. The findings, contained in the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Governance Study 2025/2026, identified AI-generated misinformation as one of the fastest-growing threats to democratic processes, particularly with the rapid rise of deep fakes, manipulated images, cloned voices, and fabricated online content.
According to Kenya News Agency, the study noted that 77 percent of Kenyans rely on social media for political information, while 55 percent rely on radio or television for the same. WhatsApp emerged as the most potent vector, where misinformation spreads rapidly through friends or family networks. NCCK Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Dennis Bosire, warned that unchecked AI-generated content has the potential to erode public trust in electoral institutions and inflame political tensions.
Bosire emphasized that when false content goes unchecked, it can fuel division and undermine trust. The NCCK study highlighted that many young people cannot reliably detect manipulated media, which could lead to a sharp decline in institutional credibility by 2027 if no action is taken. He observed that existing laws like the Data Protection Act, 2019, and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018, offer important protections but are not fully equipped to address generative AI risks.
As part of the preparations for the 2027 elections, Bosire suggested that the government should fast-track the Artificial Intelligence Bill, 2026, a key priority of which will be setting up an AI Commissioner with the authority to oversee transparency measures, including labeling AI content and conducting human rights assessments.
The Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, through the State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy, has invited public comments on the Draft Kenya Artificial Intelligence and Other Emerging Technologies Policy before the August 4, 2026, deadline. This draft policy aims to establish a national framework for the governance, development, deployment, and responsible use of AI and other emerging technologies.
Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo, stated in a recent interview that Kenya can become a regional leader in responsible AI development by adopting a policy that balances innovation with safeguards for citizens. He urged Kenyans from all sectors to participate in the ongoing public consultation, emphasizing that the collected views will shape how the country governs AI, protects fundamental rights, develops digital talent, and strengthens its competitiveness in the global digital economy.
The proposed policy is expected to lay the groundwork for future AI legislation and regulatory frameworks as Kenya prepares for increased adoption of artificial intelligence in electoral processes ahead of the 2027 General Election.
