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Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today’s happenings.

UNESCO and Kenya AI forum

UNESCO and the Government of Kenya will convene the Eastern Africa sub-Regional Forum on Artificial Intelligence (EARFAI) this week in Nairobi, Kenya starting this Monday.

The Forum, themed ‘‘Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development in Eastern Africa: Governance, Ethics, Capacities, and Partnerships’’, aims to explore the transformative potential of AI in the region.

EARFAI builds on the foundations laid by previous landmark events, including the first UNESCO Forum on Artificial Intelligence in Africa, held in Benguerir, Morocco, in December 2018, and the Southern Africa sub-Regional Forum on Artificial Intelligence (SARFAI), held in Windhoek, Namibia, in September 2022.

The Forum will enhance UNESCO’s engagement with African Member States by building their capacities to harness innovation and digital transformation.

This includes implementing the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN Agenda 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 ‘‘The Africa We Want’’.

Additionally, the Forum will support the ongoing development of the African Union Continental Strategy on AI, aligning with UNESCO’s support for this process.

Anti-Finance Bill protests

Protests against the Finance Bill are set to continue with several activities planned for the upcoming week. In a campaign dubbed “Seven Days of Rage,” youth activists are organizing events to pressure the government and Members of Parliament to repeal the Bill.

The campaign includes an online push for the release of individuals arrested during demonstrations. According to the list of events, youth activists plan to visit MPs who voted ‘Yes’ on the Bill at their constituency offices.

They have also threatened to boycott businesses owned by these MPs and are considering collecting signatures to recall them.

Traffic Interruption on Mombasa Road

The Kenya National Highways Authority has announced a temporary closure of a section of Mombasa Road (A8) on the Mombasa-bound lanes between Salama and Sultan Hamud.

This section, located 11km from Salama towards Mombasa and 10km from Sultan Hamud towards Nairobi, will be closed until Monday, July 1, 2024, at 6:00 am for highway maintenance works.

During this period, one lane will be closed while the other remains operational. Nairobi-bound traffic will be diverted, and Mombasa-bound traffic will use the operational lane.

Motorists intending to use this section of Mombasa Road are advised to approach with caution, follow traffic signs, and adhere to guidance from Police and Traffic Marshals on site.