Kenya, over the years, has made significant strides in the digital space. Known as the “Silicon Savannah,” a term coined by tech entrepreneur and investor Eric Osiakwan at the Mobile Web Africa conference in 2010, Kenya’s thriving tech industry draws comparisons to Silicon Valley in the United States. To this day, Kenya remains a leading hub for tech startups in Africa, with hundreds—if not thousands—of new ventures emerging annually. Since the start of 2024, startups like Wasoko, an e-commerce platform transforming retail by helping business owners boost sales and efficiency, and ESHE – Care for You, a mobile app pioneering better women’s healthcare with features like a period tracker and access to health experts online and offline, exemplify the remarkable achievements of Kenyan innovation
By Louise Bwire and Tapiwanashe Nyemba
Africa University, Department of International Relations and Diplomacy
In the wake of the digital era, the world has become interconnected in ways once unimaginable. Banking systems, military operations, and our day-to-day interactions stand as testaments to this transformation. The digital space has played a significant role in development, security, art, employment, innovation, and research.
The African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030) highlights fundamental issues aimed at addressing digital transformation across the continent. Key themes in the manifesto include data governance and cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, development and digital skills, and human capacity building. The world is evolving rapidly, and artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as the new currency, sparking a race to determine the next superpower in this domain.
Governance and democracy, as we understand them today, may take on new forms with the rise of artificial intelligence. AI experts argue that access to information and machine learning can tackle societal problems, including political complexities. They suggest that machine learning algorithms could make better political decisions than humans. However, concerns remain about how information is acquired and the future implications of AI, especially since international laws to regulate its use and access to information are yet to be fully implemented.
Kenya, over the years, has made significant strides in the digital space. Known as the “Silicon Savannah,” a term coined by tech entrepreneur and investor Eric Osiakwan at the Mobile Web Africa conference in 2010, Kenya’s thriving tech industry draws comparisons to Silicon Valley in the United States. To this day, Kenya remains a leading hub for tech startups in Africa, with hundreds—if not thousands—of new ventures emerging annually. Since the start of 2024, startups like Wasoko, an e-commerce platform transforming retail by helping business owners boost sales and efficiency, and ESHE – Care for You, a mobile app pioneering better women’s healthcare with features like a period tracker and access to health experts online and offline, exemplify the remarkable achievements of Kenyan innovation.
The 2010 Constitution of Kenya sought to define democracy in structural terms, emphasizing participatory democracy, the rule of law, separation of powers, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms as core principles. In her 2018 book, Digital Democracy, Analogue Politics: How the Internet Is Transforming Politics in Kenya, Nanjala Nyabola explores insightful themes related to digital democracy, analogue politics, and the Internet as a double-edged sword. She argues that social media has democratized access to information and opened new avenues for political participation.
However, the Kenyan government has faced challenges in fully embracing digital democracy due to national security concerns. This leaves the government in a dilemma: whether to censor certain content or social media platforms without being perceived as violating freedom of the media and access to information. Through the digital space, the government offers platforms for service delivery and inquiries, yet it often overlooks the critical element of human interaction. Many Kenyans seek direct engagement with their leaders beyond traditional media platforms to experience the full essence of democracy.
Furthermore, during the 2024 Finance Bill, tabled in the National Assembly on May 13, 2024, proposed tax reforms aimed at increasing revenue collection sparked widespread opposition, particularly among the youth. Media campaigns like the hashtag #RejectFinanceBill2024 gained traction. Youths, often referred to as “Gen Zs,” used social media to raise awareness about the proposed reforms, translating information into various local languages for broader understanding. Soon, the entire country rallied against the bill, leading to bloody protests nationwide. Social media platforms, including TikTok short videos, Instagram Lives, and X Spaces, played a pivotal role in mobilizing these protests.
Despite these advancements, Kenyan politics retains old-fashioned practices. This was evident in the online activism led by young men and women during the Finance Bill protests. In the emerging era of AI, the politics of ethnicity and tribalism are increasingly losing relevance, as most youths are well-informed about governance and democracy. From a youth perspective, public participation is more appealing through online platforms like TikTok or X (formerly Twitter). These platforms provide a sense of control and belonging, and their algorithms could enable the government to formulate policies that benefit all, not just a select few, thereby strengthening democracy.
In conclusion, rapid technological advancements present both opportunities and challenges for Kenya’s democracy in the post-digital age. Digital platforms have empowered civil society, enhanced government transparency, and boosted political engagement. However, risks such as disinformation, digital surveillance, and cyber-manipulation threaten democratic integrity.
The evolving relationship between technology and governance underscores the need for regulatory frameworks that uphold democratic principles while fostering innovation. Kenya’s ability to navigate these challenges will determine the resilience of its democratic institutions in an increasingly digital world. Ensuring universal internet access, safeguarding online freedoms, and promoting media literacy will be critical to enhancing democracy in the digital age.
