The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) plans to digitize over 5 billion government records at both County and national governments’ offices.
This is among 19 flagship projects of the 10-year National Digital Master plan, launched during the just concluded 11th edition of the annual Connected Summit.
The 10-year National Digital Master Plan (2022-2032) is expected to guide the country forward on ICT developments and investments, outlining the structured roadmap for the delivery of ICT infrastructure and services as well as the development of ICT skills.
The four-day summit themed ‘accelerating digital transformation’ was aimed at reviewing the progress and achievements in the ICT sector in the country, as well as identifying the digital divide strategy to deliver affordable and accessible broadband connectivity for all.
Cabinet Secretary for ICT and Youth Affairs, Mr Joe Mucheru during the launch of the master plan, noted that Kenya has a unique and robust talent base unlike any other developing country across the globe.
Kenya has transformed into a regional ICT hub and is developing globally into a competitive digital economy and through the summits, since its inception in 2009, have continued to tackle topical issues in the country.
One such outcome of the summit includes the implementation of the Digital Literacy Program (DLP) which has seen the distribution of over 1.2 million to over 22,000 public primary schools.
Through the integration of technology in the classroom environment, the program has made digital literacy available to early learners, revolutionizing teaching and learning.
CS Joe Mucheru said plans to roll out phase two of the program are underway, targeting upper primary schools and other learning institutions.
“ The program continues to transform the education sector by making digital literacy universally accessible for our learners, and plans are underway to roll out phase two of the program to increase connectivity to upper primary schools with reliable internet services.”
Furthermore, the government has taken the lead in integrating ICT into public service delivery, making government services more accessible to citizens.
Over 300 government services have been digitized, and over 50 Huduma Centers have been established across the country. The two came forth as a result of master plans created at prior related summits.
Cabinet Secretary for Labour, Mr Simon Chelgui, said that the ministry of labour was currently upgrading the Kenya Labour Market information system to generate up-to-date labour market indicators.
“With digital penetration, we can break the barriers and create one regional community, enabling us to transform this region and economy using ICT by harnessing the potential of digital technologies without creating a digital divide.”
The summit drew delegates from the EAC, among them; Uganda’s ICT Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi, his Tanzanian counterpart Dr Faustine Ndugulle and Rwanda’s Director-General for Digital Transformation, Gordon Kalema.
Uganda’s ICT Minister, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, commended the strides Kenya has made in ensuring coverage in the ICT sector noting Kenya has set the ball rolling to identify and speak of issues affecting us as a country, region and continent and identifying solutions.
The summit was held last week from the 11th-14th at Leisure Lodge Beach and Golf Resort in Kwale County.
