SENATE ICT CHAIR HON ALLAN CHESANG ATTENDS.
Trans-Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang has attended the ICT induction workshop conveyed by CS Eliud Owalo. The information, communication and, digital economy CS officially opened the workshop for members of the County Executive Committees in charge of ICT in the 47 counties. The workshop aims to sync Kenya’s ICT agenda between the devolved government and the National government. This is for the purpose of an empowered and digitalized nation.
Senator Allan Chesang is the Chairman of the Senate Information, Technology and Communication Committee (ICT). He said during the opening of the workshop that ICT is core to the development of a nation and its a milestone to prioritize it even in “mashinani”. By creating a conducive technological environment it will enhance service delivery for all Kenyans.
Speaking during the workshop was Governor Rotich who stated that, both the county and national government have agreed to collaborate with stakeholders in the advancement of the digital economy. The advancement will be done through a consultative approach. Both governments, the national and county, will collaborate in the process of review and/or, development of policies and legislation in the sector to align to the constitution.
On the ongoing automation of Government services, the workshop has tasked the ICT Ministry to involve counties in data protection, health and education initiatives. This will enhance efficiency of public service delivery. Further, the meeting has discussed the importance of growing the digital economy in Kenya’s social-economic transformation. Therefor, tasking both levels to establish mechanism for increased access to digital and digitally-enabled jobs by the youth.
Governor Rotich advised its important to collaboratively invest and leverage on technology. This is for knowledge creation, capturing, sharing, utilization and, evaluation for impact and scalability. At least two WI-FI hotspots per county will be established before end of June this year. This will expedite the expansion of the country’s fiber optic cable network by an additional 100,000 kilometers’. The full roll-out of the fiber optic network will be expedited within the Digital Super Highway. This will ensure realization of the last mile internet connectivity across the counties.
The senate Chair for ICT committee, Hon Allan Chesang, emphasized that youth trainings on digitization will be rolled across the country. This will promote digital innovation, entrepreneurship and, creation of an enabling legal, policy and, regulatory environment in the ICT sector.
