School of Science Launches AI and Digital Trust Centre

Hon. Mary N. Kerema (middle left) and Prof. Samuel Muriithi pose for a group photo with partners at the Nairobi Campus during the DCAMD conference held on 28th January.

By Timothy Oiro

[Nairobi: January 28, 2026]  The Daystar University School of Science Engineering and Health, in partnership with Cyberpro Global, launched the Center for AI, Modeling and Digital Trust (DCAMD) at a conference held on 28th January. The theme for the conference was Transforming Africa Through Responsible AI & Digital Trust.

The Chief Guest was Hon. Mary N. Kerema, Secretary in the Ministry of  ICT, E-Government and Digital Economy.

Partners from the Tech industry in attendance included Ms. Joan Mbesya from Tech Mindset, IBM CSR Leader for Middle East and Africa Mr. John Matogo, British High Commission County Lead and Advisor Mr. Charles Juma, AI Skills Director for Microsoft, Ms. Winnie Karanu, CEO of First Assurance Dr. Joannes Kitaka, Fintech Group Product Manager Mr. Joshua Mutie, AfriBot CEO Mr. Jasin Juma, Founder of Phoenix Analytics Ms. Susan Gatura, the CEO of Salaam Technology Mr. Raymond Bett, Matthew Mwakoma of CyberPro Global, the Managing Director of Mac&More Solutions Mr. Benson Musoga, the authorized Apple dealer, Ishara AI, and the Daystar Unievrsity Directorate of Research, Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship (DRICE).

Daystar University management was represented by the Ag. Vice Chancellor and DVC-Academic, Research and Student Affairs Prof. Samuel Muriithi, the Dean, School of Communication Dr. Daniel Robert Aswani who represented the DVC- Finance, Administration and Planning Prof. Muturi Wachira, Faculty, staff and students.

In May last year, Kenya’s Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy launched the National AI Digital Strategy 2025-2030, placing the nation as an AI regional hub with a strategic focus on infrastructure and governance, targeting sectors like education, health, and agriculture for enhanced productivity.

In his welcome remarks, the event mover Dr. Martin Munyao acknowledged the launch as a momentous occasion signaling the inception of the AI Centre as Daystar graduated its first cohort.

In her welcome remarks, the Dean School of Science, Engineering and Health Dr. Jane Kimathi highlighted the main mission of the Center as mentorship of students to enable them to get opportunities in similar spaces such as participating in Hackathon competitions. She said the Centre aimed to train 5,000 students within the next three years, lauding them for their efforts towards acquiring a resource lab.

The Ag. Vice Chancellor and DVC-ARSA Prof. Samuel Muriithi observed that despite a slow adoption rate of AI in Africa compared to other continents, it still has the fastest growth rate of 64%.  The DVC further acknowledged that AI is no longer an alien concept but a tool that is already redefining the health, agriculture and religious sectors.

“AI is no longer a distant concept; it is reshaping our agriculture, our healthcare, and even how we read the Bible on our phones,” he said.

Highlighting strides the Government had made towards the adoption of AI through the development of the national AI strategy, strengthening of data protection and Cyber security institutions, the Chief Guest, Hon. Mary Kerema urged Kenyans to embrace the new technology and ethical use of digital infrastructure.

“Africa does not lack innovation; what we lack is trusted intelligence,” Hon. Kerema said, adding that trust exists when citizens have certainty that their data will not be exploited. She underscored the importance of digital trust as a determinant factor of government success or failure.

“From a government perspective, digital trust is now as critical as roads. Without it, digital government fails, compliance erodes, and innovation losses legitimacy,” she emphasized.

At its peak, the ceremony shifted to a celebratory mood which included cake cutting and unveiling of the DCAMD AI Resource Lab.

The event climaxed with the graduation of 142 participants who had successfully completed five courses namely: cybersecurity, fundamentals of AI and Data Analytics, R-Programming, Power BI, and Applied Data Science with Python.

Hon. Kerema cautioned the graduands not to compromise their values, saying they were  “entering the workforce at a time of unprecedented technological leverage which demands swiftness, designing and optimizing outcomes without questioning the consequences.”

The event culminated with a vote of thanks by the former the Dean of the School, Prof. Martha Kiarie, who acknowledged the various organizations that participated in the launch.

The Daystar University Centre for AI, modeling & digital trust (DCAMD) is committed to be Africa’s leading hub for responsible AI, data modeling and digital trust driving ethical innovation and societal impact.

In acknowledging the fact that Kenya is on the frontline of AI adoption, the Daystar University Centre for AI, Modeling & Digital Trust is partnering with CyberPro Global to offer courses in Cyber security, and with Tech Mindset to offer executive short courses in AI, Applied Data Science and Data Visualization.