SEN Allan Chesang attends the inauguration of Konza Board of Directors.
The recently appointed Konza Technopolis Board of Directors led by Chairman, Prof. Raphael Munavu, was on Friday the 17th of March inaugurated at a ceremony presided over by Information, Communication and, Technology CS Eliud Owalo. The inauguration was witnessed by the Senate standing Committee on ICT under Chairman Allan Chesang, who is the Trans-Nzoia Senator.
Speaking at the inauguration in Konza, Mr. Owalo, who was accompanied by ICT and The digital Economy PS John Tanui. He congratulated the Board members on their appointment and challenged them to focus on the effective delivery of their mandate. He stated that they are coming at a time when the ICT face of the economy is deemed as an integral component of our economy.
He also referred to the Kenya Kwanza plan, which emphasizes on the Digital Superhighway being a stand alone thematic area. The plan was done deliberately and consciously, as the ICT is deemed as an enabler of the other thematic areas.
Speaking during the inauguration Senator Allan Chesang led his committee on a familiarization tour of the Technopolis. He assured the new board of the Senates” willingness to support them as they execute their mandate. He stated that the Senate would prioritize the passage of the Konza Technopolis Bill to ensure the Kenya vision 2030 flagship project is successfully implemented.
As part of the familiarization visit, the Senate Committee was briefed on the status of the various projects at the 5000-acre investment. They discussed opportunities for the sustainable financing of the Smart City. The delegation visited several ongoing projects at the expansive installation. Including the National Data Centre, Water Treatment and Reticulation facility, as well as the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) complex.
In an address to Konza Technopolis staff and contracted suppliers, Mr. Owalo introduced the new Board and assured them of the Governments determination to accelerate the completion of the mega project. The KoTDA envisions that Konza Technopolis, which sits on the boarders Machakos, Makueni and Kajiado counties, will grow Kenya’s GDP by 2 percent when fully implemented.
Konza Technopolis, which is located 60kilometres from Nairobi, has been primed t become a Smart City capable of attracting high value foreign and local investments in ICTs, life sciences, emerging technologies and engineering. It has been equipped with world-class physical infrastructure and technologies to anchor Kenya’s creative economy and reposition the country as the oasis of cutting edge innovation in Africa.
Besides Prof. Munavu, other members of the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) Board are, Prof. Pacifica Chepkosgei, Mr. Phillip Nyakwaka Olero, Mr. Samuel Kariuki Maina, Ms. Bertha Denna and Mr. Charles Kilonzo. Also present were the Senate Committee Members for ICT.
