The Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary (CS), Joe Mucheru has hailed the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report especially the recommendation that government processes in Lands and Education ministries as well as Judiciary be digitized.
Speaking in Mombasa on Thursday during the Launch of Pwani Innovation Week, Mucheru said after going through BBI report Kenyans will understand that it has some transformative aspects that could spur development in the country. “When you listen what people are saying in the media about BBI, you wonder what they are arguing and complaining about,” said Mucheru
He said the BBI proposes that Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) gives a seven year grace period to those starting up business before claiming taxes unlike the current trend where they come immediately after a business is registered.
The CS urged young people to support BBI as it has created numerous job opportunities for them.
Mucheru noted that digitizing the Judiciary will not only hasten judgments but will also clear the case backlog that has been witnessed in courts for a long time. “We want Judiciary to walk with us so we are able to give citizens the services they want as quickly as possible.” the CS said.
On Huduma Namba, the CS said the exercise has been slowed down by the court process because some members of the public challenged the security of the data.
Mucheru reiterated that Huduma Namba will simplify many processes. For instance, he added, parents will be able to enroll their children in school without birth certificates as the government will have all that data ready to enable smooth transition of children to learning institutions.
By Joseph Kamolo
