By Steve El Sabai
A quiet revolution is taking shape as Kenya prepares for its 2027 General Elections. Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital media are set to redefine how campaigns are conducted, votes are cast, and democracy is preserved. However, the promise of technology is matched by its peril, as highlighted by Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Senior Counsel, during a groundbreaking regional conference on AI and digital media in elections.
Addressing delegates at the forum, Hon. Musyoka, a senior statesman and legal expert, did not mince words. He painted a vivid picture of Kenya’s electoral journey since the return of multiparty democracy in 1991. “Elections in Kenya have always been more than just a civic exercise; they embody the people’s collective aspirations for self-determination,” he remarked. Yet, he acknowledged the darker side of this history—violence, mistrust, and disputes over outcomes that have plagued past elections.
The core of Hon. Musyoka’s message was clear: technology must serve democracy, not undermine it. Electoral systems, he argued, must be “simple, verifiable, free, and fair,” reflecting the people’s will. This standard, referred to as electoral justice, ensures that even those whose candidates lose an election can trust the process. “When winners can’t prove how they won and losers can’t verify that they lost, chaos ensues,” he warned, pointing to Kenya’s tumultuous electoral past.
Hon. Musyoka acknowledged the transformative potential of AI in elections. From voter registration to tallying votes, AI can make processes faster, more secure, and transparent. However, he issued a stark warning about the risks. In the age of “deepfakes” and misinformation, AI could become a double-edged sword. “Disinformation has found a new tool in AI,” he stated, citing examples where fake content has been used to manipulate public opinion. “Facts can be distorted, and people can be made to say or do things they haven’t.
This weaponization of AI poses a serious threat to the integrity of elections.” His concerns are not unfounded. With the rise of platforms like TikTok, where user-generated content drives engagement, politicians are increasingly turning to digital campaigns. But as online campaigns grow, so do ethical dilemmas. “Are our current laws sufficient to regulate digital platforms while preserving democracy? The time to act is now,” he emphasized. Kenya’s youth, born into the digital age, represent the largest voting demographic for 2027.
Hon. Musyoka stressed the importance of adapting electoral systems to meet their expectations. “Gen-Z and Millennials are tech-savvy, accustomed to interactive media, and demand transparency. How confident can they be that their will is respected?” he asked.
He also urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to invest in voter education, ensuring citizens understand the technologies that will be used. Yet, with the IEBC currently in a state of disarray, Hon. Musyoka expressed concern about the lack of preparation for 2027. “Timelines for credible elections are fading fast,” he cautioned.
As the conference drew to a close, Hon. Musyoka called for urgent reforms to Kenya’s electoral laws. Transparency, fairness, and adaptability must guide these changes, he urged. “AI is both an opportunity and a challenge. Used wisely, it can enhance democracy; misused, it can destroy it.” His plea extended beyond technology to the human element of elections. Political players, voters, and the judiciary must all understand and embrace the evolving role of technology in democracy. The judiciary, he noted, plays a critical role in adjudicating disputes, and must be equipped to handle tech-based electoral challenges.
Hon. Musyoka’s message resonates not just with Kenya but with democracies worldwide grappling with the implications of AI and digital media in elections. As Kenya steps into an uncertain future, his words serve as a clarion call for vigilance, preparation, and hope. “Our democracy can only thrive if we respect the will of the people,” he concluded. “Let us use technology to illuminate our path, not to cast shadows over it.”
