Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama has called for stronger protections for employers and employees as artificial intelligence and other technologies transform Kenya's workplace.
Speaking at the Employment and Labour Relations Annual Symposium and Exhibition at Strathmore University on Wednesday, Kanjama said technological change was creating new challenges that required the legal profession, employers and workers to reconsider how workplace rights and responsibilities are protected.
Kenya's labour market has expanded rapidly, but much of employment remains outside formal wage arrangements. The 2026 Economic Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that 18.1 million people were engaged in the informal sector in 2025, up from 17.4 million in 2024. Informal employment increased by 4.1% during the year.
By comparison, wage employment in the modern sector stood at about 3.3 million workers in 2025, highlighting the large gap between formal and informal employment.
The figures underline the scale of the challenge facing policymakers as they seek to extend decent working conditions and legal protections across the labour market.
Kanjama said the Law Society of Kenya regularly encounters disputes involving both sides of the employment relationship.
“The Law Society of Kenya frequently finds itself representing employees whose rights have been violated in the course of employment relations. We also often find ourselves, or our members find ourselves, representing employers who have been sued or who have various challenges in dealing with employees or in dealing with trade unions. Many times, the members of the Law Society of Kenya are also intermediaries or neutrals who are bringing together employers and employees,” he stated.
He said the growth of technology and artificial intelligence should be accompanied by safeguards for workers and businesses.
“The Law Society of Kenya recognizes the growing role of technology in resolving disputes and also in resolving matters between employers and employees, and we feel that it is high time we reflect on the positive use of technology in the workplace, and also the threats when technology is used in a way that harms employers' rights or diminishes security of employees in the workplace.”
His concerns come as international labour experts examine how AI is changing the skills required in workplaces. The International Labour Organization said in a 2026 report that increasing AI adoption is reshaping demand for cognitive, socio-emotional, digital and data skills, while making AI literacy and adaptability increasingly important.
The ILO has also said Kenya's response to AI will depend on policy frameworks, investment and partnerships as the technology changes the nature of work.
Kanjama maintained that the challenge was to ensure technological innovation did not weaken workplace security.
“So, how do we confront the growth of artificial intelligence and other technology tools in the workplace? Secure for the employer, and also secure security for the employee. That is one of the things that we hope will be reflected on in the weeks, months, and years to come.”
He also commended the Employment and Labour Relations Court for its contribution to employment law jurisprudence and urged it to continue publishing significant decisions to guide lawyers and human resource practitioners.
The Judiciary's 2024/25 report shows that the Employment and Labour Relations Court received 4,854 new cases and resolved 6,389 cases during the year. Filings have increased from 2,672 in 2018/19 to 4,854 in 2024/25, an increase of about 82%.
Kanjama further argued that the legal profession must also examine its own employment practices.
He maintained that concerns raised during his campaign for the LSK presidency included toxic work environments, the lack of written employment contracts, and inadequate protection for maternity and paternity leave.
“When I was on the ground campaigning to become president of the Law Society of Kenya, I encountered several colleagues who talked about toxic work environment. Who talked about not enjoying the greatest benefits of employment protection? Sometimes it was basic things like written contracts of employment protection for maternity leave or paternity leave.”
Kanjama noted that the LSK had resolved to develop recommended minimum terms and conditions of service for lawyers and people working in law firms and legal departments.
“We have resolved within the legal profession to come up with our recommended minimum terms and conditions of service for lawyers and persons practicing in law firms and in legal departments, and we are going to seek the support and collaboration of the key players in this sector.”
The LSK Chair further maintained that the initiative would also focus on young lawyers, noting that stronger workplace protections within the legal profession would enhance their ability to advocate for the rights of other workers.
He called for continued review of labour laws and policies, saying gaps identified through workplace disputes should inform future legal reforms. He also stressed the need to strengthen labour relations while maintaining Kenya's attractiveness as an investment destination by ensuring businesses can operate effectively and access skilled workers.