Kenya published an Artificial Intelligence Bill in February 2026 and the Senate read it a first time on April 2, 2026, following the 2025 national AI strategy. The bill proposes classifying AI systems, specific obligations for high-risk systems, a register for such technologies, and transparency safeguards. On October 7, 2026 the Senate's ICT committee tabled its report on the bill, which, as reported by The Star, recommends that the Senate not proceed with it and that the government first finalize a national AI policy. The bill stays at second reading, and the Senate resumes sitting on November 3, 2026. The Data Protection Act 2019 binds AI systems today.
Key points
- The AI Bill (Senate Bills No. 4 of 2026, first reading April 2, 2026) proposes system classification, high-risk obligations, a technology register, and transparency duties; the Senate ICT committee's report, tabled October 7, 2026, recommends, according to The Star, that the Senate not proceed with it.
- The National AI Strategy 2025 to 2030 preceded and frames the bill.
- A draft government AI policy published in July 2026 proposes a separate AI governance act; the ICT ministry told the Senate committee, whose report was tabled October 7, 2026, that the policy was in its final stages.
- The Data Protection Act 2019 is the binding layer for AI processing personal data now.
Laws and instruments
Artificial Intelligence Bill
Senate Bills No. 4 of 2026; published February 19, 2026; first reading April 2, 2026
A private member's bill from Senator Karen Nyamu that would create an Office of the Artificial Intelligence Commissioner, with risk classification, obligations on high-risk systems, a register, and transparency safeguards. The Senate ICT committee's report, tabled October 7, 2026, recommends that the Senate not proceed with the bill, according to The Star; it remains at second reading.
Effective: Not yet in force
Data Protection Act (applied to AI)
Data Protection Act, 2019
Kenya's data protection statute governs AI systems processing personal data, under the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
Effective: In force since 2019
Timeline
- 2019
Data Protection Act in force.
- March 2025
National AI Strategy 2025 to 2030 launched.
- February 19, 2026
AI Bill published in the Kenya Gazette as a Senate bill.
- April 2, 2026
AI Bill read a first time in the Senate and sent to its ICT committee.
- July 28, 2026
Draft national AI and emerging technologies policy published for comment until August 4, 2026.
- October 7, 2026
The Senate ICT committee tables its report on the AI Bill; The Star reports that it recommends the Senate not proceed with it.
Who it applies to
AI systems handling Kenyans' personal data answer to the Data Protection Act today. The Senate bill would add classification, registration, and high-risk obligations if enacted.
Penalties
Data Protection Act enforcement applies now; the bill as published proposes fines of up to five million shillings, prison terms of up to two years, or both.
Recent developments
Kenya's Senate ICT committee recommends dropping the AI Bill
The Senate's Standing Committee on Information, Communication and Technology tabled its report on the Artificial Intelligence Bill, 2026 on October 7. The report, as described by The Star, recommends that the Senate not proceed with the bill and that the government first finalize a national AI policy, which the ICT ministry told the committee was in its final stages. The bill remains at second reading; the Senate resumes sitting on November 3.
July 28, 2026
Kenya ICT ministry
Kenya's draft AI policy proposes a government AI act
The State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy published a draft AI and Emerging Technologies Policy for comment until August 4. It plans a government AI governance act, to be drafted within six months and enacted within twelve, separate from the Senate private member's AI bill that had its first reading on April 2.
February 19, 2026
Parliament of Kenya
A Kenyan senator's Artificial Intelligence Bill is published
Following Kenya's 2025 national AI strategy, Senator Karen Nyamu's AI bill was published in the Kenya Gazette, proposing system classification, obligations for high-risk systems, a technology register, and transparency safeguards. The Senate read it a first time on April 2, 2026.
Common questions
Does Kenya have a comprehensive AI law?
Not yet. Kenya published an Artificial Intelligence Bill in February 2026 and the Senate read it a first time on April 2, 2026, following the 2025 national AI strategy. The bill proposes classifying AI systems, specific obligations for high-risk systems, a register for such technologies, and transparency safeguards. On October 7, 2026 the Senate's ICT committee tabled its report on the bill, which, as reported by The Star, recommends that the Senate not proceed with it and that the government first finalize a national AI policy. The bill stays at second reading, and the Senate resumes sitting on November 3, 2026. The Data Protection Act 2019 binds AI systems today.
What are the penalties for AI violations in Kenya?
Data Protection Act enforcement applies now; the bill as published proposes fines of up to five million shillings, prison terms of up to two years, or both.
Who does AI regulation in Kenya apply to?
AI systems handling Kenyans' personal data answer to the Data Protection Act today. The Senate bill would add classification, registration, and high-risk obligations if enacted.
Cite this page
Artificial Intelligence Regulations, "AI Regulation in Kenya," reviewed October 26, 2026, https://artificialintelligenceregulations.com/jurisdictions/kenya.html.
Entries state the position as of the review date and link to the primary text for verification.
