The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) Western Kenya Branch has urged employees to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) rather than fear job losses, calling for ethical adoption and workforce reskilling.
Speaking at the branch’s Annual General Meeting in Kisumu, Jacqueline Mugo, the Executive Director and CEO of FKE, said that growing anxiety among workers about AI replacing jobs is misplaced.
Mugo emphasized that AI is not designed to take over jobs but to enhance efficiency, urging employers to collaborate with policymakers and academic institutions to retrain staff and align skills with emerging technologies.
She called on business leaders to identify training gaps within their workforce and ensure AI is deployed responsibly to improve productivity.
At the same time, Mugo raised concerns over rising insecurity in Kisumu and the wider western region, warning that it is negatively impacting businesses and deterring potential investors. She condemned recent attacks, including the assault on Godfrey Osotsi and the incident at Lake Basin Mall, where property was destroyed.
Mugo urged security agencies to restore order, stressing that a stable environment is critical for business growth and investor confidence.
She further noted that the cost of doing business remains high, driven by both local and global factors, including insecurity and geopolitical tensions such as the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, which has pushed up fuel prices.
Additionally, Mugo highlighted declining food security, citing overfishing and pollution as key threats to fish stocks, a vital resource in the region’s economy.
She called for policy and fiscal stability, alongside sound economic management, to promote sustainable growth and safeguard key sectors.
