Kenya must regulate artificial intelligence by May 2027
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Tuko
Kenya’s High Court has given the government and Parliament until 13 May 2027 to finalise the legal and policy framework governing artificial intelligence. Judge Edward Muriithi said six months were enough to complete the legislative and regulatory work, Tuko reports.
The High Court in Kerugoya has given Kenya’s executive and Parliament until 13 May 2027 to finalise a comprehensive legal and policy framework on artificial intelligence, in a ruling issued on Thursday 12 November, Tuko reports. Judge Edward Muriithi said a six-month deadline was reasonable to complete the legislative work and ongoing policy development.
The decision follows a petition filed by John Wangai, Peter Agoro and Dr Antony Manyara, who challenged the use of artificial intelligence systems in public institutions in the absence of binding legislation. The petitioners cited automated household assessments, facial recognition, predictive policing, automated marking of examinations and AI-assisted recruitment, which they believe could infringe privacy, dignity and equality.
However, Judge Edward Muriithi refused to order a halt to the deployment of AI systems by public institutions, finding that the petitioners had not provided sufficient evidence of actual violations of rights.
