The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga lauded the National Intelligence Research University (NIRU) for its forward-thinking initiative to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Kenya’s national development agenda.
Speaking during the culmination of the AI Hackathon 2025, the DPP praised the university for fostering innovation and creating a platform that empowers young minds to contribute practical technological solutions to national challenges.
The event attracted an impressive 2,600 proposals from participants across the country, all competing for the grand prize of Sh2,000,000.
The DPP emphasized that embracing AI is critical for enhancing efficiency in governance, strengthening security systems, and driving economic growth.
He noted that initiatives such as the hackathon align with the country’s broader vision of leveraging technology to improve public service delivery and national competitiveness.
“This initiative demonstrates the power of innovation in shaping the future of our nation. By investing in Artificial Intelligence, we are not only preparing for tomorrow but actively building it,” the DPP said.
The event drew attendance from key government officials and stakeholders. Among those present were the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Coordination, Kipchumba Murkomen, Shaukat Abdulrazak, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Science, Research, and Innovation, the Director General of the National Intelligence Service Noordin Haji, alongside Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola.
The leaders collectively underscored the importance of collaboration between academic institutions, government agencies, and the private sector in harnessing emerging technologies for national progress.
They highlighted AI’s potential in areas such as security intelligence, public administration, healthcare, and economic planning.
The NIRU AI Hackathon 2025 marks an important milestone in Kenya’s innovation landscape, positioning the country as a growing hub for technological advancement in the region.
Organizers expressed optimism that many of the ideas generated during the competition would evolve into scalable solutions capable of addressing real-world challenges.
Murkomen said AI is transforming how nations develop their economies, deliver public services, and secure the future.
“It’s reshaping and strengthening institutions while building safety in our digital space.”
“Kenya is at a turning point, as innovation will be key to ensuring our country’s security, growing the economy, and progressing both locally and globally. The NIRU AI Hackathon’s success not only demonstrates the depth of talent at the highest levels but also reflects the ongoing growth of the innovation ecosystem,” he said.
He said the scale of this initiative is remarkable, attracting raw talent across Kenya with over 2,000 proposals submitted, 185 innovations shortlisted and mentored into Minimum Viable Products, and 60 finalists progressing to the final stage.
He said the intelligence continues to deepen its understanding of the relationship between intelligence, technology, and national security as he praised Hajji for the moves.
As Kenya continues to invest in digital transformation, initiatives like NIRU’s hackathon signal a strong commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and driving sustainable development through technology.
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