Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has warned that artificial intelligence is becoming a new tool for extremist groups targeting Kenya and the Horn of Africa.
Speaking in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, during talks with Natalia Gherman of the UN Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate, Mudavadi said terror networks are beginning to exploit AI for propaganda, deepfakes, recruitment, and cybercrimes such as phishing and financial fraud.
He pointed out that Kenya continues to face major threats from Al-Shabaab, which takes advantage of instability in Somalia and porous borders to stage IED attacks, targeted killings, and ambushes.
Mudavadi noted that extremist groups are also using digital platforms to lure and radicalize young people, a challenge compounded by the return of foreign fighters across the region.
He said Kenya has put in place a broad counterterrorism framework that includes the Prevention of Terrorism Act, specialized units like the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, and intelligence-led border patrols.
The government is also advancing the National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism, which gives county forums a role in prevention, deradicalization, and rehabilitation efforts.