The Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Stephen Isaboke, has outlined Kenya’s strategic response to the growing threat of artificial intelligence (AI) weaponisation, emphasising its implications for governance, national security, and public trust.
Speaking at the Connected Africa Summit 2026, Isaboke addressed delegates on the theme “The Changing Face of AI Weaponisation in Africa,” noting that the rapid expansion of digital platforms has created a complex information landscape. He warned that misinformation, disinformation, and deepfakes now pose significant systemic risks, citing recent findings that show a majority of Kenyan internet users are increasingly concerned about the spread of false information.
He stated that Kenya’s response is guided by deliberate policy direction, including the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025–2030), which provides a framework for AI governance, innovation, and deployment. According to him, the government is investing in AI-ready infrastructure, trusted data ecosystems, and scalable innovation, supported by a risk-based regulatory approach aimed at protecting citizens while enabling technological growth.
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Isaboke further highlighted measures to safeguard the digital information ecosystem, including the deployment of AI-driven detection tools to identify manipulated and synthetic content, alongside strengthened regulatory mechanisms to ensure accountability across digital platforms. He added that these efforts are reinforced by a coordinated government communication strategy designed to improve the credibility and accessibility of public information.
The Principal Secretary also underscored digital skills development as a key pillar of resilience. He noted that the government is expanding training for public communication officers and scaling digital literacy programmes for citizens through initiatives such as Jitume Digital Hubs. He added that educational institutions are increasingly integrating emerging technologies into their curricula to equip Kenyan youth with globally competitive digital skills.
Reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to digital sovereignty, Isaboke said the country is promoting the development of locally relevant AI models powered by Kenyan data and reflective of local languages and contexts. He pointed to ongoing investments under the Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy pillar of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which are expanding broadband infrastructure and improving nationwide connectivity.
He concluded by calling for a coordinated, multi-sectoral, and multinational approach to addressing AI-driven misinformation, stressing that the future of artificial intelligence lies in responsible enablement. Kenya, he said, is positioning itself not only as a user of AI technologies but as a key player in shaping their governance and driving inclusive national and regional development.
