Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to ethical and inclusive integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public service and digital payment systems, emphasizing its potential to simplify citizen access to essential services and bridge the digital divide.
Speaking at the Seamless East Africa 2025 forum held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Esther Wanjau, Director of ICT in the Directorate of Information under the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, said the government is prioritizing citizen-friendly AI solutions through its recently launched National AI Strategy.
“The strategy provides a roadmap to ensure AI is accessible to all, especially underserved populations,” Wanjau said. “Through platforms like E-Citizen, we’ve incorporated USSD and SMS systems to reach Kenyans without smartphones, ensuring no one is left behind as we digitize.”
Wanjau underscored that while policy formulation is the government’s key role, private sector players are central to AI implementation. She added that the upcoming national budget will support AI development, and that the government is exploring local production of low-cost smartphones to boost rural digital access.
Chairman of the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), James Mureu, echoed Wanjau’s sentiments, noting that AI must be simple and user-friendly. “AI should be so seamless that a carpenter can pay taxes with a prompt and a PIN,” he said. “Technology must work for our traders, artisans, and mama mbogas, not confuse or exclude them.”
Mureu also proposed renaming Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to “emerging enterprises” to reflect their significant economic contribution, including 90% of employment and 40% of Kenya’s GDP. He urged regulators to build trust through fair and inclusive financial systems, stressing that AI integration must be guided by simplicity, trust, and fairness.
The two-day forum brought together government officials, tech innovators, and financial institutions to explore the transformative power of AI in enhancing service delivery. Seventy companies from countries including the UK, China, India, South Africa, and Kenya showcased cutting-edge digital products, underlining the region’s growing interest in ethical AI adoption.
The conference concluded with a resounding call for greater collaboration between policymakers and innovators to ensure AI solutions meet the real-world needs of both urban and rural communities across East Africa.
Written By Rodney Mbua
