The Judiciary of Kenya is developing a new artificial intelligence (AI) policy and practice directions aimed at regulating the use of AI in court processes following growing concerns over lawyers filing AI-generated documents and fabricated legal authorities. The proposed framework comes after several judges recently struck out pleadings after discovering that some submissions contained AI-generated content and non-existent case citations. Documents circulated to advocates for public participation show that the Judiciary intends to establish an AI governance framework as part of its wider digital transformation agenda. The Law Society of Kenya (Law Society of Kenya) said while inviting feedback from…
Author: Davin Muthoni
Public outrage has erupted following reports that the United States plans to establish an Ebola quarantine and treatment facility in Kenya for American citizens exposed to the deadly virus, even as the Kenyan government defended the proposal as part of international health cooperation. Reports published by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal indicated that the Donald Trump administration intends to set up a quarantine facility in Kenya to monitor and treat Americans exposed to Ebola amid the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed ongoing discussions between Kenya and the…
Sixteen students have been confirmed dead following a devastating dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, while dozens of others were rushed to hospital after sustaining injuries. Police said 74 learners were admitted to hospital after the blaze broke out in the early hours of Thursday morning. According to an incident report filed at Gilgil Police Station, the school principal, Joycelene Muraguri, alerted authorities about the fire at around 3.30am. Police officers led by the Sub-County Police Commander, alongside detectives, responded to the scene and found one of the dormitory blocks already engulfed in flames. The affected…
A court dispute between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and a former senior pensions official has exposed how fictitious bank accounts were allegedly used to siphon money meant for retired teachers before the fraud was uncovered by the National Treasury. The Employment and Labour Relations Court ruled that TSC had sufficient grounds to dismiss Acting Senior Deputy Director Pauline Mbithe over negligence and insubordination linked to the fraudulent payments. However, the court also found that the commission violated her constitutional rights through an irregular disciplinary process and unlawful retention of her personal financial records. The fraudulent scheme was first detected…
Siaya Governor James Orengo has claimed his life is in danger following the withdrawal of his security detail, accusing the government of using intimidation tactics against leaders critical of President William Ruto’s administration. Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Thursday, Orengo revealed that nine security officers attached to him in Nairobi and Siaya counties were recalled on Tuesday evening without explanation, leaving him vulnerable amid growing concerns over political violence. “I’m worried about it, but I’m not intimidated,” Orengo said. The governor warned that Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja should be held personally responsible if any harm…
President William Ruto has directed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to allow matatu operators to continue displaying graffiti and artistic artwork on public service vehicles, signalling government support for Kenya’s vibrant matatu culture despite ongoing regulation debates. Speaking during a live address from State House in Mombasa on Friday, the President said the government would support creative expression in the transport sector while ensuring that safety standards and respect for other road users are maintained. “Recognising the important role of creativity and self-expression within our transport culture, I have directed NTSA to facilitate an enabling environment for matatu…
Fresh legal challenges have emerged against the appointment of Adan Abdulla Mohamed as Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), with petitioners seeking to block him from taking office over claims that he has exceeded the mandatory public service retirement age. Two separate cases filed at the Employment and Labour Relations Court and the High Court in Nairobi argue that the former Cabinet Secretary’s appointment is unconstitutional, illegal and invalid because he is allegedly above the age limit allowed for public officers. The petitions, lodged by the Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) and Nairobi resident Bernard Opere, seek conservatory…
Fresh debate has emerged over Kenya’s age of consent laws following years of judicial concern that teenagers involved in consensual sexual relationships are being subjected to excessively harsh punishment under the Sexual Offences Act. The discussion resurfaced after recent court rulings directed police and prosecutors to distinguish between exploitative sexual offences and consensual relationships involving adolescents of close age proximity. However, the debate is not new. Senior judges and legal experts have for years questioned whether the current law adequately addresses the realities facing young people. In 2019, the Court of Appeal proposed that Kenya consider lowering the age of…
The High Court has ordered police and prosecutors to stop automatically treating all consensual sexual relationships between adolescents as criminal offences, marking a major shift in how Kenya handles teenage sexuality and child protection cases. In a landmark judgement delivered on Tuesday, Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled that authorities must distinguish between exploitative sexual offences and consensual relationships involving minors of close age who are not coercing or abusing each other. The court found that the blanket application of the Sexual Offences Act in such cases conflicts with several constitutional rights, including dignity, equality, privacy and the best interests of the…
Energy regulator reduces diesel prices by Sh10.06 per litre while increasing kerosene prices by Sh38.60 in a mid-cycle fuel review.
