In a move set to redefine Kenya’s economic landscape, Kiambu county Senator Karungo Thang’wa has officially tabled a Notice of Motion in the Senate, calling for a robust national policy to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.
The motion, presented on Thursday, April 2, 2026, aims to position Kenya as a continental leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, ensuring the country does not just participate in the global digital shift but leads it.
The Senator’s motion acknowledges that technologies such as AI, blockchain, and fintech are no longer “futuristic” concepts but are currently the primary drivers of global innovation and productivity. Building on Kenya’s reputation as the “Silicon Savannah,” Sen. Thang’wa argues that legislative support is the missing piece to fully unlocking the nation’s tech potential.
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution is transforming economies globally,” the Senator noted. “Kenya has the infrastructure and the talent; now we need the policy framework to scale.”
The proposed motion is strategically aligned with the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy, which emphasizes ethical, inclusive, and responsible AI development that reflects African values.
It also serves as a legislative accelerator for the recently launched Kenya National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy 2025–2030. By providing a legal backbone to these strategic goals, the motion seeks to turn high-level plans into actionable realities.
The Senator’s proposal outlines five critical areas of intervention which include Local Innovation which is promoting R&D for AI solutions tailored to solve Kenyan problems.
Ethics and Responsibility which is developing guidelines to ensure AI is used safely and beneficially.
Regulatory ‘Sandboxes’ which entails creating controlled environments where startups can test new tech without immediate, heavy-handed regulation.
Public-Private Partnerships that entails bridging the gap between the government and tech giants to build a thriving ecosystem.
Education Reform which involves integrating AI and coding into the national curriculum to prepare the youth for a digital economy.
Speaking outside the chambers, Sen. Thang’wa emphasized that the journey begins in the classroom. He is pushing for AI integration at the primary school level, arguing that pupils should be exposed to these tools at the earliest possible stage to remain competitive.
Addressing the growing anxiety regarding automation, the Senator offered a refreshing perspective on the labor market.
“Instead of focusing on how many jobs AI will eliminate, we must focus on how many jobs it will create,” he stated. “The opportunities for new roles in data science, AI ethics, and tech maintenance are vast. We are not losing jobs; we are evolving them.”
The Senator concluded his address with a rallying cry to the private sector, academia, and the youth, urging them to collaborate on building a “smarter, more inclusive, and future-ready Kenya.”
As the Senate prepares to debate the motion, the tech community remains optimistic. If passed, this policy could mark the beginning of a new chapter where Kenya’s digital economy isn’t just driven by mobile money, but by the very intelligence that powers the modern world.
