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Proposed Law AI Safety

Kenya AI Bill

Kenya Artificial Intelligence Bill, 2026 (Senate Bills No. 4)

First comprehensive AI bill in Sub-Saharan Africa. Proposes creation of AI Commissioner, AI Authority, and Advisory Committee. Establishes risk-based regulatory model aligned with EU AI Act framework, criminalizes harmful deepfakes, and mandates AI content labeling.

Jurisdiction

Kenya

Enacted

Pending

Effective

TBD

Enforcement

Office of the AI Commissioner (proposed)

Introduced in Senate on February 19, 2026 by Senator Karen Nyamu. Under Senate debate as of March 2026.

Kenya Parliament Library

Why It Matters

First comprehensive AI regulation bill in Sub-Saharan Africa, establishing a risk-based framework modeled on the EU AI Act approach. Creates three-body governance structure (Commissioner, Authority, Advisory Committee).

Recent Developments

Introduced February 19, 2026. Under Senate debate. Aligns with Kenya's National AI Strategy 2025-2030.

At a Glance

Who Must Comply

  • AI developers and deployers in Kenya
  • Technology providers offering AI services
  • County governments using AI in devolved services

Obligations fall on:

Safety Provisions

  • Risk-based classification of AI systems
  • Criminalizes deepfakes created without consent causing harm or defamation
  • Mandatory labeling of AI-generated content
  • Required risk assessments for high-risk AI applications
  • Detailed records of training data required
  • Regulatory sandboxes for controlled AI testing

Compliance & Enforcement

Penalties

KES 5M; criminal (up to 2yr)

Criminal liability

View on map

Kenya

Focus Areas

Algorithmic accountability

Cite This

APA

Kenya. (n.d.). Kenya Artificial Intelligence Bill, 2026 (Senate Bills No. 4).

Related Regulations

In Effect IN

India AI Governance Guidelines

Voluntary AI governance framework built on seven core principles ('sutras'): Trust, People First, Innovation over Restraint, Fairness & Equity, Accountability, Understandable by Design, and Safety/Resilience/Sustainability. Establishes AI Governance Group, AI Safety Institute, and Technology & Policy Expert Committee.

In Effect IT

Italy AI Act

First EU member state comprehensive national AI law complementing the EU AI Act. 28 articles covering AI governance principles, sector-specific rules for healthcare, employment, justice, and public administration, criminal provisions, copyright protections, and a EUR 1 billion AI investment fund.

In Effect ASEAN

ASEAN AI Guide

Regional AI governance framework for 10 ASEAN member states. Non-binding guide promoting transparency, fairness, security, and human-centricity. January 2025 expansion addresses six GenAI-specific risks including deepfakes, misinformation, and vulnerable population harms.

In Effect KE

Kenya DPA

Kenya's comprehensive law with Section 35 rights against harmful automated decisions. DATA LOCALIZATION requirement: one serving copy on Kenyan servers for certain contexts.

In Effect US-SD

SD Deepfakes Act

Prohibits disseminating deepfakes about candidates within 90 days of election with intent to cause injury. Class 1 misdemeanor with up to 1 year imprisonment and $2,000 fine. Affirmative defense for content with AI manipulation disclosure. Civil remedies available to AG, candidates, and depicted individuals.

In Effect US-NH

NH Deepfakes Act

Criminalizes fraudulent use of deepfakes as a Class B felony (1-7 years imprisonment). First state law with explicit private right of action for deepfake victims. Enhanced penalties when deepfakes result in wrongful arrest. Prohibits lobbyists who violate the law from registering.

All regulations Check if this applies to you

Last updated March 23, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.