{
  "id": 19336897,
  "title": "Kassait warns Kenya is playing catch-up as foreign firms control digital infrastructure",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/kassait-warns-kenya-is-playing-catch-up-as-foreign-firms-control",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-10T13:33:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital FM Kenya",
    "slug": "capital-fm-kenya",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/kassait-warns-kenya-is-playing-catch-up-as-foreign-firms-control-digital-infrastructure/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NAIROBI, Kenya – In her final days at the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC), outgoing Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait cautioned that Kenya risks falling behind as it becomes increasingly reliant on foreign technology infrastructure. Kassait acknowledged that while Kenya has implemented policies to regulate data processing, its limited local technical capabilities and persistent reliance on external platforms weaken its negotiating position with multinational technology firms. She emphasized that negotiations with these companies can often be one-sided, as the country lacks the necessary digital infrastructure and technical expertise to engage on equal terms. \"We are always playing catch-up,\" Kassait stated, highlighting the need for Kenya to develop its own digital infrastructure and bolster technical capabilities to improve its bargaining power.",
  "summary": "NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 10 – Outgoing Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait has warned that Kenya risks losing leverage over its data as reliance on foreign technology infrastructure leaves the country struggling…",
  "key_points": [
    "Kenya risks falling behind due to reliance on foreign digital infrastructure.",
    "Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait warns of one-sided negotiations.",
    "Kassait urges Kenya to develop its own digital infrastructure and technical capabilities."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}