The government is committed to ensuring that ethical and inclusive adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), is embraced by Kenyans to enhance payment systems and public service delivery.
Director of Information-In-Charge of ICT at the Directorate of Information, State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Esther Wanjau, said the move is aimed at simplifying citizen access to services and bridging the digital divide.
Wanjau, who was speaking during the Seamless East Africa 2025 forum at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, told participants at the forum that the government launched the National AI Strategy it had developed in March this year.
She noted that the strategy, which is anchored on broad stakeholder engagement, will address existing gaps in access to technology, particularly for underserved populations.
“This strategy will give a roadmap on what the government will be undertaking in the area of Artificial Intelligence,” said Wanjau.
“The government is deliberate in making AI-ready services, through platforms such as e-Citizen, we have already incorporated USSD and SMS systems to serve Kenyans who do not own smartphones. This ensures inclusivity even as we advance into a more digital future,” Wanjau said.
She emphasised that the government’s mandate is primarily policy formulation, with implementation largely driven by the private sector.
“The government is laying the foundation for private innovation to thrive, guided by regulatory and legal frameworks that are responsive to the needs of the people,” stated Wanjau, adding that the upcoming budget cycle will allocate funding for AI advancement.
She assured of the government’s commitment to explore the production of low-cost smartphones to support digital inclusion, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure remains a barrier.
Chairman of the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), James Mureu, underscored the potential of AI in transforming customer experience and boosting operational efficiency, which he noted should always remain accessible to all.
“Technology must be simplified. For our artisans, traders and Mama mbogas, complexity is a barrier. AI should be so seamless that a carpenter can pay tax with a prompt and a PIN,” said Mureu.
“We are seeing innovation already in places like the expressway and mobile payments. That is the model we should replicate,” he added.
Mureu advocated for a shift in language around business categorisation while proposing the term emerging enterprises be used to replace the commonly used MSMEs, which he said undervalues the significant contribution of small businesses to the economy.
“These enterprises support 90 per cent of Kenya’s workforce and contribute 40 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product. They deserve dignity in name and in policy,” he said.
Mureu further challenged developers to create solutions tailored for the estimated 16 million small enterprises across the country, and called on regulators to build public trust by ensuring fair financial policies.
“We need regulatory systems that favour productive economic activity over profit-hoarding. Trust, fairness, and simplicity must guide AI integration,” he said.
The two-day Seamless East Africa Conference brought together stakeholders from government, financial institutions, and the private sector to explore the transformative power of AI in digital payments and service delivery, with ethical processes and customer needs at the forefront.
The forum highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between policymakers and innovators to ensure AI solutions meet the real-world needs of all citizens, rural and urban alike.
During the event, 70 companies from various countries exhibited their products, among them from the United Kingdom, China, South Africa, India, Bahrain, and Ireland.
Source: https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/
