AI Power Dynamics in Kenya: Pathways to Digital Sovereignty
A workshop exploring power asymmetries and pathways to greater digital sovereignty in Kenya's AI ecosystem
On April 9th, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society representatives gathered in Nairobi to examine the complex power dynamics shaping Kenya's rapidly evolving AI landscape. The workshop, "Digital Sovereignty: Mapping AI Power Dynamics in Kenya," was organized by NYU PREP (Peace Research and Education Program) in collaboration with the University of Nairobi and facilitated by researchers Katerina Siira, Marine Ragnet of New York University and Dr. Benedict Mkalama, and Dr. Florence Muindi of the University of Nairobi as part of a broader initiative examining AI's impact on peacebuilding globally.
The workshop concentrated on three primary activities:
Stakeholder Mapping Exercise: Participants mapped Kenya's AI actors and their levels of influence within the ecosystem, identifying core decision-makers, strong influencers, and those affected but excluded from the conversation. This revealed significant power imbalances among local actors, particularly between those with access to infrastructure and those without.
Cross-Sector Panel: The workshop featured insights from industry experts and academics, including Angela from Ushahidi, Kilemi from Jiji Health, and Professor Waema from the University of Nairobi. Panelists discussed navigating the balance between leveraging global AI technologies and maintaining local agency in various sectors.
Case Study Analysis: Participants explored practical case studies and developed solutions to real-world AI dilemmas in Kenya's security, health, agriculture, and fintech sectors. These exercises helped identify sector-specific challenges and potential governance approaches.
Some of the themes that emerged from the day’s discussions included:
The Colonial Shadow in the Digital Age
One of the most compelling themes to emerge from the workshop was the parallel between historical colonialism and current digital power structures. Discussions highlighted how the Western world often develops digital concepts and tools without consideration for Africa-centric solutions.
This observation underscores a critical concern: the risk of digital colonization may not be apparent until it's too late. With global technologies primarily designed outside the African context, there's an urgent need to adapt and localize AI technologies to benefit local communities while preserving autonomy.
Investment and Infrastructure Challenges
The workshop revealed how decisions about AI development are often influenced by those who control resources and technical expertise. International partners and companies with substantial funding tend to have greater input, sometimes resulting in solutions that aren't fully contextual to local needs.
Participants emphasized the value in building smaller, locally-relevant solutions rather than relying entirely on imported technologies. While global technologies offer opportunities to build upon existing frameworks, they often lack contextual relevance.
Interestingly, some participants viewed recent funding cuts by international agencies not as a crisis but as an opportunity that might lead to more independent, locally-driven solutions.
Power Asymmetries and Data Sovereignty
Workshop discussions highlighted the fundamental connection between AI sovereignty and data sovereignty. Participants explored how data control directly translates to decision-making power, creating a paradox where necessary services are often paid for with data when financial resources are limited.
The workshop mapped stakeholders across circles of influence, from core decision-makers to those affected but excluded from the conversation. This exercise revealed significant power imbalances among local actors, particularly between those with access to infrastructure and those without.
Pathways to Greater Digital Sovereignty
Through interactive case studies and breakout sessions, participants identified several actionable approaches to enhance Kenya's digital sovereignty:
Knowledge democratization – Breaking down complex AI concepts to make them accessible to diverse audiences
Self-financing and innovative funding mechanisms – Reducing dependency on external funding sources
Community voice in technology governance – Implementing multi-stakeholder approaches that actively include typically underrepresented voices
AI explainability – Developing systems that can explain their decisions, training data, and potential biases
Education and capacity building – Strengthening foundations from high schools to universities to develop local talent
Value-based governance – Determining what is important to Kenyans in the local context rather than importing ethics frameworks
Looking Forward
The workshop coincided with the recent launch of Kenya's National AI Strategy 2025-2030, presenting a timely opportunity to inform implementation approaches. As NYU PREP researchers continue their two-year collaborative project examining AI governance in Kenya and the Philippines, they plan to share findings through research publications, including an upcoming issue of Oxford Intersections focused on AI.
The conversations begun at this workshop will continue through engagement with policymakers and community-based organizations to create participatory governance processes that can address power imbalances while leveraging AI for national development.
Participants emphasized that true sovereignty means locally determining what is important in the AI space, not simply adopting external frameworks or technologies without critical adaptation.
This workshop was part of NYU PREP's initiative examining AI and peacebuilding. NYU PREP (Peace Research and Education Program), in partnership with the University of Nairobi, is conducting this collaborative research program focusing on the intersection of technology, human rights, and sustainable peace. The research findings will be hosted on the University of Nairobi's website as part of the ongoing knowledge-sharing initiative between these institutions.