By Nyang’au Araka
Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Stephen Isaboke urged responsible, inclusive AI adoption, saying the technology should empower society and complement human capability rather than replace people.
Isaboke made the remarks in Nairobi during the TikTok Safer Internet Summit 2026, where government officials, technology leaders and media practitioners gathered to discuss how emerging technologies can drive positive social impact.
Speaking during a panel discussion titled AI for Good: Leveraging Technology for Social Impact, the Principal Secretary said Kenya’s approach to artificial intelligence is based on facilitation and innovation rather than strict control.
“The attitude we should have is that AI is augmented,” Isaboke said, explaining that the technology should complement human effort and enhance productivity across sectors.
He revealed that government officials have already undergone AI training as part of efforts to build technology literacy within the public sector.
Kenya has also developed a draft national AI strategy covering the period 2025 to 2030, supported by existing AI guidelines designed to position the country as an open and innovation-friendly market.
According to Isaboke, the creative economy is among the sectors already benefiting from the technology, with content creators and entrepreneurs using AI tools to expand their reach and productivity.
The Principal Secretary further highlighted the government’s ongoing rollout of digital hubs across wards nationwide.
The hubs are connected to fibre infrastructure and are intended to expose young people to technology early, particularly in rural areas.
“It is slowly digitalising rural areas,” he said, noting that the initiative falls under the government’s Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy pillar.
The summit also featured candid reflections from Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Omwoyo, who warned that the media industry is undergoing profound disruption due to digital transformation and changing audience behaviour.
Omwoyo said traditional newsroom structures are under intense pressure as media houses grapple with shrinking revenues, staff layoffs and increasing workloads for the journalists who remain.
“Most of what we see in the newsrooms is a collapse of the newsroom. We also have overworked our journalists,” Omwoyo said.
He added that the rise of independent digital creators and bloggers has dramatically reshaped the information ecosystem, with many operating outside traditional newsroom structures but commanding significantly larger online audiences.
The Council, he said, has begun supporting journalists who have exited mainstream media to establish independent digital platforms such as podcasts and online channels as alternative income streams.
Also speaking at the summit was Duduzile Mkhize, who outlined how the platform is applying community guidelines and AI principles to ensure responsible use of technology, particularly in areas such as content moderation and recommendation systems.
The discussions highlighted the growing urgency of ensuring artificial intelligence is governed responsibly as the digital economy expands across Africa.
Separately, Isaboke also appeared before the National Assembly of Kenya Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, chaired by John KJ Kiarie, during deliberations on the State Department’s Supplementary I Budget for the 2025/2026 financial year.
The meeting focused on strengthening Kenya’s broadcasting, telecommunications and digital ecosystem as the country accelerates its transition into a technology-driven economy.
The Principal Secretary welcomed the insightful engagement and constructive feedback from Members of the Committee, noting that their input remains critical in guiding the State Department’s efforts to enhance service delivery for all Kenyans.
