The 10th KARMA Conference 2026: Celebrating the 10 - year Milestone!
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Pridelnn Paradise Beach Resort & Spa
(Mombasa - Kenya) - 2nd - 6th November 2026
Theme: AI-Ready Records for Smart, Accountable Governance
Background and Rationale
Kenya is undergoing an accelerated digital transformation of government, guided by the Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022–2032 and the Kenya National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy 2025–2030. These national frameworks underscore the critical role of digital technologies, data, and innovation in improving public service delivery, strengthening governance, and enhancing citizen trust in government institutions. At the centre of this transformation lies records and information management (RIM) as the foundation for reliable data, accountable decision-making, and trustworthy AI systems.
This year’s theme of the 10th KARMA Conference — “AI-Ready Records for Smart, Accountable Governance” — is therefore timely, strategic, and directly aligned with Kenya’s national digital and AI priorities. The National Digital Master Plan emphasizes digitisation of government records, interoperability of systems, secure data management, and the development of digital skills across the public sector. These priorities cannot be achieved without robust records and information management frameworks that ensure information is accurate, accessible, secure, and preserved throughout its lifecycle.
Similarly, the Kenya National AI Strategy (2025–2030) recognises that effective AI adoption in government depends on the availability of high-quality data, strong governance frameworks, ethical safeguards, and skilled professionals. Records and information professionals play a critical role in enabling these conditions by ensuring data integrity, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, protection of personal information, and long-term accountability of AI-supported systems. Without well-managed records, AI systems risk reinforcing bias, undermining transparency, and eroding public trust.
This conference theme deliberately emphasizes practical applications to respond to the needs of government practitioners, regulators, ICT professionals, and information managers implementing digital and AI initiatives, as well as private sector organizations and solution providers. It shifts the conversation from abstract or theoretical discussions to real-world use cases, tools, policies, skills, and governance mechanisms that support smart government. The theme also reflects KARMA’s mandate to promote professional excellence, capacity building, and policy engagement in records and information management across Kenya and the region.
A Message from the Chairperson
It is my great pleasure, on behalf of the Kenya Association of Records Managers and Archivists (KARMA), to warmly invite you to the 10th KARMA Annual Records Management Conference, taking place from 2-6 November 2026 at PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort & Spa, Mombasa.
This is the 10th edition of the KARMA Annual Record Management Conference and it marks a truly special milestone for KARMA and our profession. Under the theme “AI-Ready Records for Smart, Accountable Governance,” the conference will bring together records and information management professionals, ICT practitioners, archivists, policymakers, academics, and other stakeholders to share knowledge, experiences, and ideas on the future of our profession.
Over the years, this conference has grown from a professional gathering into one of the region's leading platforms for advancing Records and Archives Management. As we celebrate this journey, we also look ahead with great optimism because the future of Records and Archives Management has never been more exciting. Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation are reshaping organisations, and our profession is becoming increasingly central to good governance, accountability, and trusted decision-making. Our journey over the last ten conferences has been remarkable. But I truly believe our best days are still ahead of us.
I look forward to seeing you in Mombasa for five days of learning, meaningful conversations, collaboration, and professional networking.
See you in Mombasa!
Stephen A. Magwilu
Chairperson
Kenya Association of Records Managers and Archivists (KARMA)
As a milestone 10th Annual Conference, this gathering provides an opportunity to position KARMA and the records and information management profession as key enablers of Kenya’s smart government agenda. By aligning discussions with national policy priorities, the conference will contribute to strengthening institutional readiness for AI adoption, fostering ethical and responsible use of emerging technologies, and ensuring that digital transformation delivers measurable public value, transparency, and trust for citizens.
Topics and Themes
Building Smart and Accountable Government Through AI-Driven Records and Information Management
AI-Enabled Records and Information Management for Public Service Delivery
Governance, Ethics, and Legal Frameworks for AI-Driven Information Systems
Data Protection, Privacy, Security, and Trust in AI-Enabled Government
AI, Archives, and Digital Preservation for Sustainable Public Memory
Capacity Building, Collaboration, and Leadership for AI-Enabled Information Governance
Objectives of this Conference are to:
- Promote understanding of AI applications in records and information management.
- Strengthen collaboration between ICT staff and records professionals in government.
- Discuss legal, ethical, and governance issues related to AI and digital information.
- Share best practices and case studies of digitization, preservation, and AI adoption.
- Build capacity for a digitally enabled and AI-literate government workforce.
- Support national efforts toward open government, accountability, and citizen-centered service delivery.
Expected Outcomes
- Improved awareness of AI’s potential and limitations in public sector information work.
- Strengthened partnerships between ICT and records management in public institutions.
- Public sector staff equipped with current knowledge on digital governance.
- Recommendations for policy, standards, and infrastructure improvement.
- A roadmap for AI-integrated information management in government.
This conference brings together a diverse community of professionals:
- Government records managers & officers
- ICT directors & systems administrators
- Archivists and digital preservation specialists
- AI & data science experts
- Legal and compliance officers
- Public service leaders
- Scholars and Academic researchers
- Donors, partners, and private sector innovators
Meet Our Conference Speakers
- Chief guest
- Guest Speaker
- Host
- Guest Speaker
- Guest Speaker
- Guest Speaker
- Guest Speaker
- Guest Speaker
- Guest Speaker
- Guest Speaker
2026 Program
Day One: Monday, 2nd November 2026
Master of Ceremonies: Humphrey Moturi
| TIME | ACTIVITY |
|---|---|
| 8:30 am – 9:30 am | Delegates Arrival, Registration & Tea |
| 9:30 am – 10:00 am |
Welcome Remarks
|
| 10:00 am – 12:30 pm | CSR Activity – Beach Clean-up – Facilitated by Dynamic Events |
| 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm | Lunch & Networking |
| 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Team Building Activities (Icebreakers, Bonding Exercises, Outdoor Games, Group Reflections) – Facilitated by Dynamic Events |
| 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm | Health Break |
| 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Welcome Cocktail Reception – Celebrating the 10th KARMA Annual Conference |
Day Two: Tuesday, 3rd November 2026
Master of Ceremonies: Nimrod Taabu
| 8:30 am – 9:30 am | Delegates Arrival, Registration, Tea & Entertainment |
| 9:30 am – 12:30 pm |
Opening Ceremony
|
| 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm | Group Photo, Lunch & Networking |
| 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm |
Panel Discussion: Marking a Decade of KARMA Conferences: Milestones, Impact and the Future
Moderator: Nimrod Taabu Panelists:
|
| 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm | Health Break & Networking |
Day Three: Wednesday, 4th November 2026
Master of Ceremonies: Maureen Kenga
| 8:30 am – 9:00 am | Delegates Arrival & Tea/Coffee |
| 9:00 am – 9:40 am | Sponsor’s Presentation by CPF Financial Services |
| 9:40 am – 10:20 am | Speaker: Mr. Pieter Lokker, IDT Manager, Enterprise Information Management, Shell
Closing the AI Value Gap: From License to Operate to License to Innovate |
| 10:20 am – 11:00 am | Speaker: Mr. Ramadhan Thuita, Branch Manager, eManage Africa
Garbage In, AI Out: Digitization and Metadata Quality Standards for AI-Ready Records |
| 11:00 am – 11:30 am | Health Break & Networking |
Breakout Sessions
| TIME | ECO BALL ROOM | BARACUDA |
|---|---|---|
| 11:30 am – 12:15 pm | Leveraging AI for Trusted, Inclusive and Citizen-Centered Digital Government Services
Presenter: Benard Rotich, Ag. Secretary Digital and Data Governance – State Department for ICT and Digital Economy |
Integrating AI Governance with a Broader Information Governance Program
Presenter: Dr. Paul Mullon – COR Concepts Information Management Consulting |
| 12:15 pm – 12:45 pm | From Scan to Source-Grounded Intelligence: A Deterministic-First Framework for AI-Ready Records and Accountable Governance in Kenya
Presenter: Mr. Simon Maina – Fargo Courier |
From Chaos to Classified to Conversational: Building an AI-Powered Records Intelligence System
Presenter: Edga Ochieng Onyango – Armely |
| 12:45 pm – 1:15 pm | Digital preservation in 2026: new challenges and community responses (virtual session)
Presenter: Garth Stewart, Head of Good Practice – Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) |
Sponsor’s presentation by COSEKE |
| 1:15 pm – 2:00 pm — Lunch & Networking | ||
| Breakout Sessions | ||
| 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | AI for IDP, Records Management, and Digital Preservation
Presenter: Dr. Paul Mullon – COR Concepts Information Management Consulting |
Sponsor’s presentation by CPF Financial Services & LITES |
| 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm | The Role of AI in the Digital Transformation Age: Enabling Document Management Systems and Digital Onboarding
Presenter: Mr. John Opiyo – Tech & AI Expert |
The Trusted Records Governance Framework: A Practical Model for Responsible AI in Government (virtual session)
Presenter: Ms. Jade Rhedrick – The Jadeofalltrades |
| 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Information Governance and Artificial Intelligence (virtual session)
Presenter: Mr. Andrew Ysasi – Vital Records Control (VRC), ARMA International |
The Silent Crisis: Digital Obsolescence in African Records Systems
Presenter: Ms. Sussie Nekesa – Stima Sacco |
Day Four: Thursday, 5th November 2026
Master of Ceremonies: Sussie Nekesa
| 8:30 am – 9:00 am | Delegates Arrival & Tea |
| 9:00 am – 9:30 am |
Speaker: Vincent Okong’o, MBS, FESK, ndc (K), Director, Preventive Services at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)
Governance and Ethics in the Age of AI: Safeguarding Integrity, Accountability and Public Trust |
| 9:30 am – 10:30 am |
Panel Discussion: Human Capital for the Digital Economy: Building Skills, Talent and Leadership for an AI-Enabled Public Service
Moderator: Dr. Cleophas Ambira Discussants:
|
| 10:30 am – 11:00 am | Health Break & Networking |
| 11:00 am – 11:45 am |
Speaker: Cecilia Mutua, Director, Data Governance, State Department for ICT and Digital Economy
From Data Governance To Trustworthy AI: Building AI Ready Data |
| 11:45 am – 12:30 pm |
Speaker: Anouk Inonge Boer, Business Development Executive MEMORIST
From Archive to Living Heritage: Conservation, Digitization and AI for Access to the Past |
| 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm |
Draft National Records Management Policy, 2026
Presenter: Dr. Naftali Chweya (OGW), Director, Records Management Ministry of Gender, Culture, The Arts |
| 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch & Networking |
| 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | KARMA Annual General Meeting (AGM) – KARMA Bonafide Members |
Day Five: Friday, 6th November 2026
Master of Ceremonies: Dr. Juliet Erima
| 8:00 am – 9:00 am | Delegates Arrival & Breakfast/Entertainment |
| 9:00 am – 9:45 am |
Speaker: Dr. Reuben Chirchir, MBS, Commissioner, Public Service Commission (PSC)
Strengthening Governance Through Effective Records Management |
| 9:45 am – 10:30 am |
Speaker: Mr. Joseph N. Busiega, MGH, MBS, ndc (K), Chief of Staff, Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary
Emotional Intelligence at the Workplace |
| 10:30 am – 12:00 pm |
Closing Ceremony
Master of Ceremonies: Nimrod Taabu
|
| 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch & Networking |
| 2:00 pm onwards | Delegate Departures & End of Conference |
Now the biggest annual records management conference in Africa, the Kenya Archives and Record Managers Association (KARMA) invites you to join us in engaging professionals from Africa and internationally in this incredible conversation on the 2nd to 6th November 2026, in Mombasa, Kenya.