A CORUÑA, Spain — Kenya’s Defence Cabinet Secretary, Soipan Tuya, has reaffirmed the country’s leadership and commitment to the responsible, ethical and lawful use of artificial intelligence (AI) in defence and security during the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Military (REAIM) Summit 2026.
The summit, held in A Coruña, brought together defence ministers, military officials and technology experts from around the world to discuss frameworks that ensure AI technologies strengthen, rather than undermine, international peace, security, human dignity and the rule of law.
On the sidelines of the event, CS Tuya held a bilateral meeting with Spain’s Defence Minister, Margarita Robles, exploring ways to boost cooperation on defence and maritime security.
The discussions reaffirmed long‑standing cordial relations between Kenya and Spain and Spain’s engagement in maritime security efforts within the Western Indian Ocean region.
Areas of potential collaboration identified included naval training, technical support and maintenance, maritime domain awareness, cybersecurity, and cooperation in AI and other emerging defence technologies.
Tuya also held a bilateral meeting with Ruben Brekelmans, Minister of Defence of the Netherlands, which underscored an expanding strategic partnership between Kenya and the Netherlands in areas such as ethical AI and regional security.
The engagements included senior officials from both delegations, including Kenya’s Ambassador to Spain and top Kenya Defence Forces representatives.
At the REAIM Ministerial Meeting, CS Tuya articulated Kenya’s approach to responsible AI in defence, emphasising that AI systems must be designed and used in ways that uphold human rights, the rule of law, and global stability.
She highlighted Kenya’s contributions to international AI governance, including its service on the United Nations Secretary‑General’s High‑Level Advisory Body on AI, co‑sponsorship of the first UN General Assembly resolution on safe and trustworthy AI, and active role in developing UN resolutions on Responsible AI in the Military Domain.
Tuya noted that Kenya is translating policy into action at both domestic and regional levels.
In August 2025, the country hosted the Second Africa Regional REAIM Consultations, bringing together representatives from 17 African nations to ensure the continent plays a strong role in shaping global AI governance.
Domestically, the government has launched the National AI Strategy 2025–2030, a comprehensive framework aligning AI innovation with inclusive socio‑economic development and respect for human dignity.
The summit comes amid global discussions on how to govern AI in military contexts, including ethical considerations and varied national approaches.
Notably, during the same summit event, major powers such as the United States and China opted not to join a non‑binding declaration on responsible military AI use, underscoring differing international perspectives on how to regulate emerging defence technologies.
