Kenya seeks $20.8m for AI-powered social media monitoring system

Kenya seeks parliamentary approval for a KES 2.7 billion ($20.8 million) allocation to deploy AI tools. The AI systems will monitor social media, track online sentiment, and manage government communications, addressing growing concerns about online misinformation and disinformation.

The State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications urged the National Assembly’s ICT committee to invest in new technologies, citing the spread of disinformation, misinformation, and “malinformation” on social media as the primary justification.

The funding request is divided into several parts. KES 400 million is allocated for AI software designed to analyse social media sentiment. The software would analyse public social media conversations and sentiment around government policies.

The proposed budget allocates KES 926 million for establishing a National Communication Centre. This centre will serve as a central hub for collecting, packaging, and distributing government information through coordinated messaging. Additionally, KES 242.79 million is earmarked for media and customer relations management software.

Another KES 795 million will address the deteriorating infrastructure of the Kenya News Agency’s field offices. Finally, KES 300 million is allocated for operations and policy monitoring at the ministry headquarters.

The proposed National Communication Centre is a crucial element. Committee chair and Dagoreti South MP John Kiarie welcomed it, noting that government ministries currently seem to be sending mixed messages and the administration has had difficulty effectively publicising its development achievements.

The proposed social media system raises many questions

The Kenyan government’s suggestion of an AI-powered social media monitoring system has raised worries. Although the government states it aims to fight misinformation and improve coordination, critics are concerned about how it might affect free speech.

Sentiment analysis is a technology that monitors not only what people are saying but also their feelings about it. This capability extends beyond simply fighting misinformation. It provides the government with detailed, real-time insight into public opinion on social media. Critics are concerned that this power could be used to identify and suppress opposition, rather than just addressing false information.

This follows a Kenyan court’s prior decision against government efforts to block social media access, which garnered considerable attention across Africa. The current push for AI monitoring tools signifies a shift in strategy to achieve the same objective of managing online narratives. This new approach focuses on surveillance and response, rather than outright blocking.

Funding approval hinges on the Budget and Appropriations Committee, led by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi. The committee is currently processing requests from various other committees before parliament reconvenes.

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) has a KES 592 million deficit in its salary budget. While KBC’s annual payroll is KES 1.5 billion, only KES 953 million has been allocated. This means KBC can pay net salaries but cannot cover essential deductions required by law. This situation highlights the significant financial difficulties faced by Kenya’s public communication services.

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