On the 7th of November, 2025, the School of Computing and Engineering Sciences in collaboration with the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law (CIPIT), hosted a Dean’s Roundtable that brought together deans from eight universities across Kenya to explore the Role of Universities in Shaping Kenya’s National AI Strategy.

First convened in 2024, the Dean’s Roundtable is a platform for dialogue among academic leaders from public and private universities in Kenya. The inaugural event sparked conversations around research, reskilling, and digital innovation. This year, the Roundtable went a step further, shifting from conversation to action as the deans discussed actionable outcomes, focusing on the operationalization of Kenya’s National AI Strategy 2025–2030, with a particular  focus on its implementation mechanisms.

Kenya has taken proactive steps to shape its AI future through this national strategy, in which academia plays a pivotal role as an incubator for talent, research, and innovation. The Roundtable specifically examined the implementation mechanisms outlined in Chapter 6 of the Strategy, focusing on actionable ways to bridge the gap between policy and practice. Throughout the discussions, curriculum development, research, and mentorship emerged as key themes. The deans shared insights on integrating AI competencies and ethical frameworks into academic programs while aligning institutional research priorities with national objectives. The conversation also underscored the importance of mentorship in nurturing critical thinkers and innovators equipped to address Kenya’s evolving social, economic, and technological challenges.

Representing the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, Mr. Kevin Njeru joined Deans to discuss government initiatives that support collaboration academia. “For Kenya, AI represents both an opportunity and a responsibility: an opportunity to accelerate development and improve public service delivery, and a responsibility to ensure that these technologies are applied ethically, inclusively, and sustainably,” he remarked. He further highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to operationalize the National AI Strategy, emphasizing the importance of effective implementation. “ The government has established the National AI Implementation Committee, launched pilot AI use cases in sectors such as agriculture and health, and is building AI skills frameworks in partnership with universities and private sector partners. These initiatives ensure Kenya is not just a consumer, but a producer of AI.” he stated

Eng. Dr. Julius Butime, Dean of the Strathmore School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, emphasized that universities cannot remain on the sidelines of innovation. “We must bridge what happens in the innovation ecosystem with what happens in our classrooms, ensuring that our graduates are not only knowledgeable but also capable of driving Kenya’s AI future,” he said. “By aligning our priorities and pooling our strengths, we can build a coherent national response to the opportunities and challenges that AI presents.” He further highlighted the pivotal role of education in nurturing ethical and skilled problem-solvers. “The question is no longer whether AI will shape our world, but how we, as universities, can shape AI for Kenya,” he noted. “Our curricula must equip graduates not just to use AI tools, but to design and deploy them. The transformation begins in our classrooms.

Dr. Melissa Omino, Director at CIPIT, reinforced the importance of ethics in AI education. “Academia is a key pillar of the AI strategy, but as we create this change, we must also emphasize Ethical AI. Students should not only be creators but also innovators who consider ethics. We need to train them to design models that reflect our local realities,” she said. She stressed that universities are the starting point of Kenya’s AI pipeline. “The curriculum we design, the research we prioritize, and the partnerships we build will determine whether Kenya leads or lags in AI transformation. A curriculum revolution is required to train the next generation of creators, innovators, and critical thinkers ready for Kenya’s AI future.”

The discussions delved deeper into how universities can align AI education with national research priorities, innovate their curricula, and strengthen collaboration with industry to ensure graduates acquire practical and relevant skills. Ethical AI and governance emerged as key themes, positioning universities as vital contributors to policy frameworks and regulatory standards. Talent development was also a major focus, emphasizing the need to close skill gaps through specialized training, professional certifications, and partnerships with the private sector.

Insightful presentations from the Roundtable provided valuable benchmarks on how peer institutions are advancing innovation, with notable contributions from JKUAT and Kenyatta University. Microsoft also shared its initiatives through the AI for Good Lab, highlighting opportunities for academia–industry collaboration. The discussions concluded with participants identifying gaps and opportunities across AI research, education, and policy engagement. The teams proposed a range of collaborative initiatives including joint research projects, knowledge-sharing platforms, and cross-institutional mentorship programs, aimed at strengthening Kenya’s growing AI ecosystem.

Article written by: Christine Mwangi