Kenya’s Ruto joins AI revolution with Master’s programme enrollment

By Dumisani Sigogo

President William Samoei Ruto paid a visit to Konza Technopolis earlier today.

As the Artificial Intelligence (AI) wave continues to sweep across Africa, President William Samoei Ruto has formally enrolled in Kenya's first entirely digital public university to pursue a Master's degree in AI.

Ruto confirmed his enrolment while speaking at the launch of Phase One of Konza Smart City's infrastructure. The President underlined the government's commit-ment to extending access to affordable, technologically advanced higher education.

Currently, the Open University of Kenya (OUK) has over 15,000 students (includ-ing 590 international learners from 70 countries) and offers 23 degree pro-grammes spanning from undergraduate to PhD level, as well as 24 professional courses, enabling students to study anywhere, at any time.

Regarding, Konza Smart City, Ruto commented: "The Konza Technopolis is steadily taking shape as a thriving hub of technology, research, and enterprise that will power Kenya’s transition to a digital economy and a first-world nation.

"Commissioned Phase One of Konza’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, including 40km of modern road, 170km of water and drainage systems, 6km of utility tunnels housing fibre optics, a 120MW smart power sub-station, among others.

"I reaffirm the government's full commitment to completing and operationalising Konza Technopolis to lay the country’s foundation of digital transformation and create jobs for our young people.

"We thank our development partners, especially the Governments of Italy, South Korea, China and the United States, for working with us to make Africa's Silicon Savannah a reality."

Ruto's decision comes as African leaders are being encouraged to lead their countries into the future by embracing AI.

Recently, Ralph Mupita, CEO and president of MTN, Africa's largest telco, stated that AI has the potential to generate equitable growth throughout Africa, "but only if we act now."

Mupita, speaking at the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation Inclusive Growth Forum, urged immediate action to avoid more inequality and the formation of a "digital underclass".

"We must be obsessed and paranoid about not being left behind," stated Ralph Mupita.

He went on to say achieving this vision will require collective action across sectors, governments, private industry, academia, and civil society to develop AI capabilities that create jobs, drive innovation, and address Africa’s most pressing challenges in areas such as healthcare, education, and agriculture.