MP John Kiarie calls for regulation of AI in Kenya

Arnold Ngure 21st August, 2025 06:26 PM

Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, alias KJ, has called for the prompt formation of a regulatory framework on artificial intelligence (AI) in the country.

Speaking during the third Leadership Retreat of the National Assembly in Mombasa County, Kiarie said the world is firmly in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, marked by machine learning, interconnected devices, and advanced algorithms, and that Kenya cannot afford to be left behind.

Kiarie has called for the creation of a Parliamentary Office on Science and Technology to guide Kenya in navigating the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies.

Playing catch-up

The MP, who chairs the National Assembly departmental committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, cautioned that unless Kenya acts decisively, the country risks being sidelined in a global economy increasingly driven by intelligent systems.

Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie addresses MPs in Mombasa on August 21, 2025. PHOTO/https://web.facebook.com/ParliamentKE

“Are we playing catch-up to a horse that has already bolted? If so, how do we find our footing in this new world?” Kiarie posed.

The legislator highlighted both the promise and dangers of AI. He cited advances in agriculture, such as the Plant Village Nuru app that helps farmers detect pests, and medical breakthroughs where AI can assist in remote or even autonomous surgeries.

Equally, he warned that AI-generated misinformation is already undermining democratic institutions.

Misinformation

“In June 2024, Parliament was under attack because of misinformation surrounding the Finance Bill. Content that never existed in the Bill was magnified online by automated systems, and Members of Parliament had no right of reply,” he recalled.

An Artificial Intelligence Illustration on the Wall. Image used for illustration purposes only. PHOTO/Pexels

Drawing parallels with the regulation of nuclear weapons in the 1940s, Hon. Kiarie argued that the world is yet to respond with the same urgency to AI’s potential dangers.

He emphasized that unchecked technological advances could disrupt lawmaking, healthcare, communication, and even cultural preservation.

Hon. Kiarie stressed that Kenya’s Constitution and national development frameworks, including Vision 2030, must be reviewed to reflect the rapid pace of technological change.

He noted that while the country already has a Data Protection Act, its safeguards are insufficient in the face of new threats, referencing the Worldcoin case where sensitive biometric data was collected despite existing laws.

“Kenya cannot afford to be left behind in this race. The question is not the cost of doing it, but the cost of not doing it,” he warned.