{
  "id": 7994688,
  "title": "Kiarie calls for stronger parliamentary oversight as Kenya accelerates AI adoption",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/kiarie-calls-for-stronger-parliamentary-oversight-as-kenya",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-17T09:05:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KBC",
    "slug": "kbc",
    "url": "https://www.kbc.co.ke/kiarie-calls-for-stronger-parliamentary-oversight-as-kenya-accelerates-ai-adoption/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "John Kiarie, the MP representing Dagoretti South and head of the Communications, Information and Innovation Committee, has called for enhanced parliamentary scrutiny as Kenya's adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) accelerates. In a keynote address at a webinar organized by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training, Kiarie stressed that technological advancement must be accompanied by accountability, human rights protection, and citizen safeguards. During the discussion, experts from the government, the technology sector, and Parliament examined how Kenya can harness AI while minimizing its potential risks. Kiarie emphasized that Parliament must ensure AI technologies do not outpace the laws and institutions meant to protect Kenyans. AI is expected to disrupt various sectors, including employment, education, healthcare, financial services, social protection, security, and justice, he noted. The webinar also highlighted the necessity of determining whether existing laws can address emerging AI issues or if new legislation and safeguards are required. Dr. Grace Githaiga, CEO of the Kenya ICT Action Network, argued that technological innovation and human rights can advance concurrently if a governance framework is established that promotes responsible AI use while ensuring citizen, business, and public institution confidence. She highlighted concerns around data privacy, the potential for AI systems to create biased profiles, and the consequences of automated decision-making. Participants also raised worries about AI's capacity to perpetuate existing inequalities if trained on historical data that reflects discrimination or underrepresentation. Regarding government's AI adoption, the ICT Authority highlighted infrastructure, standards, institutions, and accountability as crucial pillars. Chief Executive Officer Jessy K Maruti stressed that government accountability cannot be delegated to an algorithm. The forum also stressed the importance of human oversight, particularly in decisions that could affect individuals' rights, benefits, safety, or access to services. It proposed a risk-based approach to AI regulation, with high-risk systems requiring stricter measures such as impact assessments, independent reviews, external validation, and clear appeal mechanisms. Parliament's emerging AI responsibilities include legislation, oversight, representation, resourcing, and review, with Kiarie's Committee expected to lead these efforts.",
  "summary": "Dagoretti South MP and Chairperson of the Communications, Information and Innovation Committee (CII), John Kiarie, has called for stronger parliamentary oversight as Kenya moves to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI), saying technological innovation must go hand in hand with accountability, protection of human rights and safeguards for citizens. Kiarie was speaking when he delivered a key […]…",
  "key_points": [],
  "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."
}