The Kenya Association of Records Managers and Archivists (KARMA) will mark a major professional milestone this year with the 10th anniversary of the annual KARMA Records Management Conference.
The landmark conference brings together leading records and archives professionals, policymakers, researchers, technology experts and governance leaders to shape the future of records and information management in the digital and artificial intelligence era. The conference will take place from 2nd to 6th November 2026 at the PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort & Spa, Mombasa, under the theme: “AI-Ready Records for Smart, Accountable Governance”
The official opening of the conference will be presided over by Mr Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and the closing ceremony will be presided over by Mr. Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service.
The 10th anniversary represents an important chapter in KARMA’s journey of promoting professional excellence, capacity building, policy engagement and innovation in records and information management in Kenya and the wider region.
See Also >> ABSA Bank Marks 100 Years in Eldoret With a City Run
Over the past decade, KARMA’s annual conference has provided a platform for professionals and stakeholders to exchange knowledge, examine emerging trends, build professional networks and engage in conversations that influence the development of records and information management.
“This 10th conference is more than an anniversary; it is a moment to reflect on how far the profession has come and, more importantly, to define where it must go next,” said KARMA Chairman Mr Stephen Magwilu. “As Kenya accelerates its digital and Artificial Intelligence transformation, records professionals must be at the centre of ensuring that the information powering these technologies is trustworthy, secure, accessible, well-governed and preserved for future generations,” he added.
The choice of this year’s theme; “AI-Ready Records for Smart, Accountable Governance,” comes at a critical moment in Kenya’s digital transformation.” Already, the Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022–2032 and the Kenya National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030 place digital technologies, data and innovation are being formulated and implemented to improve public service delivery, strengthen governance and enhance citizen trust in public institutions.
Records and information management provides the foundation for data integrity, evidence-based decision-making, institutional accountability and trustworthy digital systems. As organisations increasingly adopt artificial intelligence, automation and data-driven decision-making, the quality, authenticity, accessibility, security and preservation of records become even more critical.
The conference will therefore explore how records professionals can contribute to building AI-ready information environments that support effective, transparent and accountable governance. The 10th KARMA Conference will move beyond theoretical discussions about artificial intelligence to focus on practical applications and solutions relevant to government practitioners, regulators, ICT professionals, records and information managers, private-sector organisations and technology solution providers.
READ >> Inside the New Era of Influencer Marketing Growth
Discussions will examine practical use cases, technologies, policies, professional skills and governance mechanisms required to prepare organisation for responsible AI adoption. Key areas of focus will include the management of digital records and data, interoperability, information security, data quality and integrity, privacy and compliance, ethical AI, digital preservation, automation, emerging technologies and the evolving role of the records and information professional.
“Our 10-year milestone comes at precisely the right time,” said Mr Magwilu. “The next decade will require records and information professionals to be strategic partners in digital transformation — not simply custodians of information, but architects of trustworthy information systems that enable smart and accountable governance.”
The week-long conference will provide opportunities for participants to learn from experts, share experiences, examine emerging technologies, engage policymakers and build networks across the records and information management ecosystem, he said.
Leave a comment