By Patrick Amimo
Kenya should urgently embrace and shape artificial intelligence (AI) as a transformative force to secure a sustainable and inclusive future. Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Performance and Delivery Management in the Executive Office of the President, Mr. Eliud Owalo, has said.
In his keynote address during the official opening of a two-day international multi disciplinary conference at Rongo University, Migori County, under the theme “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Innovation for a Sustainable Future and Advancing Global Resilience”, Mr. Owalo called for an African-driven AI agenda grounded in ethics, inclusion, and relevance to local realities.
“We must ask ourselves: are we preparing students just for exams, or for life? Are we teaching them to follow instructions or to solve real problems?” Mr. Owalo posed. “Universities must not only teach digital skills but lead the charge in creating homegrown, ethical, and sustainable AI solutions that address our continent’s most pressing challenges.”
The forum brought together researchers, educators, policymakers, and industry experts to explore how emerging technologies can drive resilience in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and finance.
Mr. Owalo emphasized that artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept, but a real-time force reshaping society. “In agriculture, AI supports precision farming. In healthcare, it enables early diagnosis and personalized treatment. In education, it expands access and customizes learning. In disaster management, AI enhances preparedness and early warnings,” he said.
Mr. Owalo warned against potential risks, ranging from algorithmic bias, threats to data privacy and cyber security, and the deepening of digital divides, and stressed the need for deliberate and inclusive governance frameworks.
“Kenya’s approach must always prioritize a human-centric, rights-based, and ethically anchored technological future,” he said, adding that digital transformation must uplift all Kenyans.
"Let us be careful not to create a digital divide. We must be all inclusive and ensure universal access to digital infrastructure," Mr. Owalo said.
Mr. Owalo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enabling this vision through initiatives such as the Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022–2032, development of a National AI Strategy, and the establishment of digital innovation hubs nationwide.
"Kenya has long been celebrated as Africa's silicon savannah, a nation that embraces innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital solutions. AI, data science, and emerging technologies are now central to achieving our broader national aspirations, realizing the Kenya vision 2030, advancing Bottom-up Economic Transformation agenda, and achieving sustainable development goals," Mr. Owalo emphasized.
He also called on institutions like Rongo University to embed AI and digital literacy across all disciplines—from sciences and engineering to agriculture and the humanities—and to actively promote interdisciplinary research addressing real-world challenges in local communities.
In a bid to empower the next generation of innovators, Mr. Owalo said the Kenya Kwanza administration will enhance support for patenting of local inventions and reforms in policy, legal and regulatory frameworks to protect young tech entrepreneurs.
Rongo University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Gudu, praised Mr. Owalo’s direct contribution to the university’s digital capacity-building efforts.
“Mr. Eliud Owalo donated 100 new computers with software while serving as Cabinet Secretary for ICT. Our postgraduate students are already using AI techniques based on the systems you donated,” Prof. Gudu said. “This has revolutionized our approach to research and opened up new frontiers in data-driven innovation.”
Prof. Gudu lauded the government’s support in bridging the digital divide between urban and rural institutions and called for sustained collaboration between academia and government to translate research into practical solutions.
Mr. Owalo emphasized the importance of nurturing a generation of innovators who are not just consumers of global technologies, but creators of uniquely African solutions.
“Let us ensure that AI bridges rather than widens our social divides,” Mr. Owalo said. “Together, let us harness AI and innovation to drive a future that is sustainable, resilient, and inclusive for all. The future belongs to those who shape it. Let us shape it with integrity, inclusivity, and the audacity to dream beyond borders.”
While noting that technology could be abused, Mr. Owalo said that there should be a reasonable level of regulation.
"We must allow our people to innovate. Regulations should not stifle innovation," he said.
Mr. Owalo added that Kenya's artificial intelligence strategy must align with the best world practices.
0 $type={facebook}:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.