How Kenyan youths turned AI against unfair government policies for political accountability

In the bustling streets of Nairobi, a new form of protest took shape. Young Kenyans, armed with smartphones and coding skills, turned their tech skills into a formidable tool against government policies they view as unjust. What began as online discussions about the now-scrapped controversial Finance Bill 2024 in Kenya, involving tax hikes, has evolved into a nationwide movement, with technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), at its core.

The AI detective keeping the government on their toes

Meet the “Corrupt Politicians GPT,” an AI chatbot that has become the talk of the town. This AI-powered tool is compiling and presenting corruption cases involving Kenyan politicians in an easily accessible format. It’s not just a database; it’s a digital watchdog that’s making politicians think twice about their actions.

The “Finance Bill GPT” is also another AI tool turning complex and controversial legislations into everyday language, empowering citizens to understand the potential implications of new laws on their lives while sharing lawmakers’ phone numbers to raise their concerns.. This innovative use of AI was not just about translation; it’s about transformation – turning confused citizens into informed activists ready to engage with their representatives.

Social media’s role in fueling the movement

TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) have become more than just platforms for dance videos and memes. They also became now the digital town squares where protesters plan, mobilize, and share real-time updates. These social media apps have transformed from entertainment hubs to lifelines of the protest movement.

In a remarkable display of solidarity, Kenyans opened their digital wallets to support the cause with over 29.8 million Kenyan shillings raised in online fundraising efforts as a testament to the collective will of a digitally-connected generation.

As a result, the president of the Republic of Kenya, Williams Ruto, is also now turning to host space conversations on X for better citizen engagement and accountability.

The app that turned phones into protest tools

Enter Zello, a less-known app that turned smartphones into walkie-talkies. This innovative use of technology kept protesters one step ahead, allowing them to coordinate movements and share critical information in real-time. It was not just an app; it was a digital shield protecting protesters on the ground.

How tech broke down the language barrier to unite voice

In a country of 43 ethnic communities, language could have been a barrier. Instead, it’s become a showcase of unity. Through crowdsourced TikTok videos, the complex Finance Bill is being explained in local languages, ensuring that from the streets of Mombasa to the hills of Kisii, everyone understands what’s at stake.

Government is grappling with a tech-savvy revolution

As protesters leverage technology, the government found itself in an uncharted territory. Concerns about AI misuse and cybersecurity are still mounting, highlighting the challenges of governing its use in the digital age. For example, protesters also shared databases of businesses owned by politicians to face attacks, and created a chatbot to highlight the contributions of lawmakers to parliamentary debates.

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