Murkomen Urges Young Innovators to Build Kenya’s AI-Powered Future


Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called for responsible and homegrown innovation in artificial intelligence, saying it will be critical in strengthening Kenya’s national security and economic transformation.
Speaking during the inaugural AI Hackathon organized by the National Intelligence Research and Analysis (NIRA) under the National Intelligence Service, Murkomen said technology is now central to how nations build prosperity and safeguard their future.
The event was also attended by Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola, who emphasized the growing intersection between law, technology, and national security, noting the need for adaptive legal frameworks to address emerging AI challenges.

The hackathon brought together students, developers, and industry players to design AI-driven solutions targeting cybersecurity, misinformation detection, intelligence analysis, and protection of critical infrastructure. Senior NIRA officers said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to harness local innovation in strengthening intelligence capabilities.
Murkomen noted that national security has evolved beyond traditional military focus to include digital resilience and protection of information systems. He emphasized that secure and well-digitized systems are key enablers of innovation and economic growth.

He challenged participants to develop local solutions, warning that overreliance on foreign technologies could expose the country to vulnerabilities. “Security and safety are not obstacles to progress—they are enablers,” he said.

Teams from Meru University of Science and Technology emerged among the top performers in the competition, impressing judges with innovative solutions addressing real-time data analysis and digital threat detection. Winners are set to benefit from mentorship, incubation, and possible integration of their projects into government systems.
Murkomen also raised concerns over the rapid advancement of AI, noting that legal and policy frameworks must keep pace with emerging risks such as data misuse, misinformation, and deepfake technologies.

“The future belongs not just to those who innovate, but to those who innovate responsibly,” he said.

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