Kenya is proposing to bring artificial intelligence under formal oversight for the first time, according to Bantu Gazette.
The outlet reports that Kenya's Artificial Intelligence Bill would create a new regulator dedicated to overseeing AI, alongside a set of risk-based rules for how the technology is developed and used.
A "risk-based" approach means that AI systems would face different levels of scrutiny depending on how much potential harm they could cause. In frameworks built on this idea, higher-stakes uses of AI typically carry stricter requirements than low-stakes ones. The Bantu Gazette report frames Kenya's proposal along these lines, pairing the risk tiers with a purpose-built oversight body.
At this stage the measure is a proposal — a bill, not yet a law. Legislation of this kind generally still has to move through debate and approval before it can take effect, and details can change along the way.
Why it matters: Kenya is one of Africa's largest technology and startup hubs, and a dedicated AI regulator with risk-based rules would set an early marker for how the continent chooses to govern a fast-moving technology — shaping the environment for the companies, developers, and everyday users who increasingly rely on AI tools.