The government is seeking Sh2.7 billion to purchase artificial intelligence (AI) software for social media analysis, media and customer relations management, and to operationalise the National Communication Centre.
The State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications told the National Assembly’s committee on ICT that it requires the AI software given that the media landscape has evolved, and there is a need for the government to acquire specialised equipment to keep abreast of what is happening.
Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunication Stephen Isaboke.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Stephen Isaboke, said the country has witnessed growth in the use of social media for spreading disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation.
“The Department of Information needs Sh400 million to cater for the purchase of AI software for social media sentiment analysis,” Mr Isaboke, the Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, told lawmakers.
“The financing gap will affect planned activities including enhancing the corporate image, visibility, identity and reputation of government programmes and projects. It will also affect capacity building, training and retooling of staff in news/content production,” he said.
Budget estimates documents tabled before the committee, chaired by Dagoreti South MP John Kiarie, show that the Department of Communication has a funding gap of Sh242.79 million for purchase of media and customer relations management software and modernisation of telecommunications infrastructure at the National Government Contact Centre.
The PS said the State Department needs a further Sh926 million to establish the National Communication Centre as a central point in government where all information is funnelled through, packaged and shared as communication briefs to be used to disseminate information internally and externally.
“Required funds will mainly cater for purchase of specialised equipment, training of all public communication officers and information officers across government on new technology and AI,” Mr Isaboke said.
The budget documents also reveal that the Kenya News Agency (KNA) lacks Sh795 million for the refurbishment of field offices, procurement of equipment, and capacity building for field offices.
At the ministry headquarters, data shows Sh300 million is needed to cater for operation and maintenance costs, including monitoring and evaluation activities, development of policies and legal framework.
The entrance to the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation in Nairobi.
Photo credit: File | Nation
Mr Isaboke said the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) has a budget hole of Sh592 million for personnel emoluments, which stand at Sh1.5 billion annually.
He said only Sh953 million has been provided for staff salaries for the financial year 2026/27. As a result, the PS said KBC can only afford to pay net salaries, leaving it struggling to cover statutory deductions and other payroll related costs.
“Honourable chair and members, a significant issue affecting the State Department’s performance is the substantial financing gap in both recurrent and development budgets for the financial year 2026/27.
“This shortfall jeopardises the timely execution of ongoing projects, undermines operational efficiency, and threatens the achievement of performance targets aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (Beta) and Vision 2030.”
Mr Kiarie, who chairs the Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation (CCII), said the MPs will consider the requests, particularly funding for operationalisation of the National Communication Centre.
“It is important that the government communicates its policies from a centralised place. What we are seeing currently is communication at cross purposes. The government is seen as unable to communicate the good work it has done in terms of development,” Mr Kiarie said.
“We will retreat and consider some of your requests for additional funding. We know that resources are not enough but we will definitely make a case at the Budget and Appropriations Committee to see what we can get for funding these critical areas.”
The Budget and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Alegp Usonga MP Samuel Atandi is receiving submissions from various committees on consideration of the 2026/27 budget ahead of tabling its final recommendations for various ministries, departments and agencies (MDA) when the House reconvenes from the short recess.
