Kenya Leads AI Governance with Innovative Diplomatic Playbook

By John Torris

Cabinet Secretary for Defence Hon. Soipan Tuya officiates the launch of the Diplomat's Playbook on AI

In a major development, Kenya has released the “Diplomat’s Playbook on Artificial Intelligence  (AI) Governance” a pioneering handbook to help Kenyan diplomats prepare for the negotiations on AI policy. This new strategy was launched on the 6th of December, 2024 at Uhuru gardens in Nairobi with the help of Ambassador Philip Thigo who is the Special Envoy on Technology and officiated by Cabinet Secretary of Defence, Soipan Tuya. 

Moreover, the event was graced by key government figures from the Ministries of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Education, Information, Communications and Telecommunication (ICT) and Digital Economy, alongside numerous local and international dignitaries. Among the notable figures present was Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary, Dr. Korir Sing'oei. 

Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, represented by Defence CS Tuya, highlighted the profound impact of AI on international relations, economic development, and social progress. “In an era where Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping the global landscape, its impact cannot be overstated,” Mudavadi stated.

Through his socials, Ambassador Thigo wrote, “𝖳𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖯𝗋𝗂𝗆𝖾 𝖒𝖺𝖻𝗂𝗇𝖾𝗍 𝖲𝖾𝖼𝗋𝖾𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗒 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖯𝗋𝗂𝗇𝖼𝗂𝗉𝖺𝗅 𝖲𝖾𝖼𝗋𝖾𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗒 π–Ώπ—ˆπ—‹ π–₯π—ˆπ—‹π–Ύπ—‚π—€π—‡ π– π–Ώπ–Ώπ–Ίπ—‚π—‹π—Œ, π—π—π—‹π—ˆπ—Žπ—€π— 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖒𝖺𝖻𝗂𝗇𝖾𝗍 𝖲𝖾𝖼𝗋𝖾𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗒 π–Ώπ—ˆπ—‹ π–£π–Ύπ–Ώπ–Ύπ—‡π—Œπ–Ύ, π–Ώπ—ˆπ—‹ 𝗍𝖺𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺 π–»π—ˆπ—…π–½ 𝖺𝗇𝖽 π—π—‚π—Œπ—π—ˆπ—‹π—‚π–Ό π—Œπ—π–Ύπ—‰ π–Ώπ—ˆπ—‹π—π–Ίπ—‹π–½ 𝗂𝗇 π—€π—…π—ˆπ–»π–Ίπ—… π—π–Ύπ–Όπ—π—‡π—ˆπ—…π—ˆπ—€π—’ π—…π–Ύπ–Ίπ–½π–Ύπ—‹π—Œπ—π—‚π—‰ 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗍𝗁𝖾 π—…π–Ίπ—Žπ—‡π–Όπ— π—ˆπ–Ώ 𝗍𝗁𝖾 π–Ώπ—‚π—‹π—Œπ—-𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋 π–£π—‚π—‰π—…π—ˆπ—†π–Ίπ—’π—Œ π–―π—…π–Ίπ—’π–»π—ˆπ—ˆπ—„ π—ˆπ—‡ 𝖠𝗋𝗍𝗂𝖿𝗂𝖼𝗂𝖺𝗅 𝖨𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗅𝗂𝗀𝖾𝗇𝖼𝖾.” 

Attendees during the launch of the Diplomat's Playbook on Ai

This playbook is to help Kenya be at the forefront in the implementation of ethical and  non-biased AI governance and regulation and to comply with the international standards. The resource is also meant to help Kenyan diplomats to be prepared and have the right information to support the AI practices that are  appropriate, clear, and just. 

“The launch of this playbook marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s journey towards becoming a thought leader in AI governance,” said Ambassador Philip Thigo. “Our message in global AI discussions is clear: AI must be guided by principles of fairness, transparency, and inclusivity, empowering the Global South and addressing structural inequalities.”

The playbook seeks to tackle some of the biggest threats to the existence of human beings such as climate  change, poverty, health, and learning by embracing the right use of AI. Its key principles are the  principles of ethical AI governance, sustainable development, principles of equity for the economy, and principles of sovereignty in digital development.

“Defence and Diplomacy are interconnected pillars that complement each other to help safeguard Kenya’s sovereignty and advance the country's interests. Together, the two pillars ensure that our foreign engagements and defence posture remain aligned in securing a stable, prosperous, and united Kenya,” asserted CS Tuya. 

The launch of the Diplomat’s Playbook on AI also featured the inauguration of a historic photo gallery and the transition of the Foreign Service Academy into a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA). Organized by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs (MFDA), this initiative seeks to improve the professionalism and efficiency of Kenya’s diplomatic corps.

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