THE PRESIDENT PRESIDED OVER THE OPENING OF 8TH DEVOLUTION CONFERENCE IN ELDORET.
During the official opening of the 8th Devolution Conference in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu county, the president, His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto presided over the official start of conference. He urged the county governments not to be to dependable on National Government revenue allocation and wean themselves by collecting revenue and, properly utilizing available resources. The president in his address said that counties must step forward and, explore innovative and flexible paths of revenues that do not constrict their frontiers of productive possibilities.
Leaders from all the counties, governors, senators, county assembly members and, others are present during the ongoing devolution conference. It is an opportunity for leaders to join in together and deliberate on the way forward for the country and, reminisce the past years of devolution and how devolution has impacted the common ‘mwananchi’ and, service delivery too in different sectors of the economy/development.
ICT Chairman, Senator Allan Chesang together with the Cabinet Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, CS Eliud Owalo, the CEO of Communication Authority of Kenya, Mr. Ezra Chiloba and, other leaders from the ICT docket gave their briefing during the conference in Eldoret on how technology is being integrated in the devolved sectors for economic development.
The team from the Information, Communication, Technology and , Digital Economy were addressing the benefits of adopting technology and digitization and its potential impact on economic growth. Among the many benefits that were highlighted include, incorporation of IFMIS into procurement, accounting, payment and, reporting process to ensure better service delivery to citizens across the counties, increase transparency and, improving decision making through data analysis and, visualization. By the use of IFMIS, it provides cost-effectiveness by reducing paperwork and, manual process by enhancing communication and, collaboration between county officials and citizens, thus promoting digital economy.
They also addressed the many challenges ICT is facing in devolved sectors which includes, increased cybercrime cases, low uptake of Data Centre (shared services by county governments), delays in last-mile infrastructure connectivity to all government institutions limit electricity connectivity and, internet access to homes, schools, and villages among many other challenges highlighted.
They highlighted the emerging trends in the ICT sector which includes, E-waste, artificial intelligence, Green-ICT, Child online safety emerging as key to deterring abuse and, exploitation of children amid the principle of free speech among many other trends. Moreover, they gave the strategies for promoting innovation and, digital transformation in the devolved context. These includes, county governments should endeavor to broaden their tax base through their county legislations and, regulation and, encourage unregistered enterprises to get registered among many other listed.
Afterwards, Trans-Nzoia Senator joined the Cabinet Secretaries for ICT and Health, Mr. Eliud Owalo and, Susan Nakhumicha respectively, Communication Authority of Kenya CEO, Ezra Chiloba, nominated senator Karen Nyamu and, other leaders present for the launch of free public WIFI hotspots in different parts of Trans-Nzoia markets. Senator Allan stating that these WIFI hotspots will help micro, small and, medium-sized enterprises to engage in e-commerce, Adding that the free wireless network will also give the youths an opportunity to explore online jobs.
During the launch of free public WIFI hotspots in different parts of Trans-Nzoia county.
