Honourable Sifuna Urges State Agencies to Embrace AI and Demands Auditable Tech for 2027 Polls

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  Speaking on the sidelines of an annual legal conference, Nairobi Senator and advocate Edwin Sifuna called on government entities to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline public service delivery, while calling for strict AI regulations and fully auditable technology ahead of the 2027 General Election.

         Streamlining Public Services with AI
 Highlighting the practical benefits of AI training sessions led by tech experts at the conference, Sifuna recounted a personal experience visiting the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) desk, where he discovered the agency was holding funds in his name.
   Drawing a comparison to automated traffic enforcement systems, Sifuna argued that state agencies should proactively notify citizens rather than waiting for individuals to visit physical offices.
  "If it is possible for the NTSA to send us automated messages when we exceed speed limits, it is equally possible for the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority to deploy AI models that search databases and send direct alerts to citizens about their assets," Sifuna stated.
       
    (Center) Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Advocate of the High Court during the annual Law Society of Kenya Conference 2026
           Infrastructure, Dispute Avoidance, and Integrity
  Referencing insights shared by engineers from the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Sifuna emphasized the need for "dispute avoidance" in large-scale infrastructure procurement to prevent delays and costly litigation.
   While acknowledging the positive economic impact of key infrastructure projects—such as the Dongo Kundu Bypass—the lawmaker stressed that project delivery must strictly adhere to the rule of law and maintain financial integrity.
•Cost Efficiency: Projects must be executed within budget without price inflation or kickbacks.
•Fair Procurement: Tendering processes must remain free from corruption and unfair disqualifications.
•Constitutional Compliance: Physical infrastructure development must align with constitutional standards and good governance.

                 The Push for AI Regulation and Deceptive Media
   Addressing the growing concerns surrounding deepfakes and digital misinformation, Sifuna supported legislative proposals to regulate artificial intelligence, noting how rapidly advancing technology can deceive even those closest to public figures.
  He shared a personal account of AI-generated content fooling his own family:
 "I saw a photo circulating claiming to be me in primary school—an AI-manufactured image. It has gotten to a point where AI audio and video can fool even my own parents into believing I said something I never did. We need regulation to fight misinformation, protect children online, and safeguard public discourse—especially as we approach election campaigns."

        Demanding Transparency and Auditable Tech for 2027
    Turning to electoral reforms, Sifuna insisted that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) must secure fully transparent and auditable technology for the 2027 elections.
   Recalling previous election petitions, including the 2022 Supreme Court ruling where tech vendors cited intellectual property rights to restrict server audits, Sifuna called for accountability from both local and international vendors.
    Key electoral reform demands outlined by Sifuna include:
1.Auditable Systems: Election technology must fully comply with constitutional auditing standards without vendors hiding behind IP claims.
2.Reputable Suppliers: Contracts should only be awarded to established vendors and countries with strong corporate governance and foreign anti-corruption enforcement (citing historic lessons from the "Chickengate" scandal).
3.Stakeholder Engagement: The IEBC must consult political players and the public throughout procurement, testing, and deployment.

             Deflecting Political Speculation
  When journalists probed him on upcoming political realignments and coalition strategy, the Senator lightheartedly brushed off the question, insisting his focus at the venue remained squarely on his legal and legislative duty.
  "We are here as lawyers today. You journalists must be patient—when the time comes, those discussions will happen in the right venue," Sifuna remarked with a chuckle before concluding the briefing.



       

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