Members of staff at the State Department of ICT and the Digital Economy have been urged to work towards building and tapping talent among the country’s youth from secondary, colleges and universities.
The new Principal Secretary for ICT and The Digital Economy Eng. John Tanui said the country has well trained graduates from technical and vocational institutions, universities and secondary schools whose talents can be harnessed to attract businesses within the information technology and outsourcing.
“It is through the digital economy that we can unlock opportunities for employment and create wealth for the country,” Eng. Tanui said.
The PS was speaking today at the Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy Headquarters at Telposta Towers during the handover ceremony where he assumed office from the former ICT and Innovation Principal Secretary Jerome Ochieng that was attended by ICT heads of department and parastatal heads.
Tanui who thanked President William Ruto for giving him the opportunity to serve as PS, said the country has a strong legislation, a need that requires all staff under the department to work in collaboration to achieve the government’s vision.
He promised to unlock more ICT innovations for the country adding there are still gaps in the sector that need to be addressed, and reiterated that the government’s plan is to position the Ministry as a strong enabler for agriculture, housing, industrialization and small medium enterprises to take the country to the next level..
The PS noted that as he works on the Ministry’s strategic plan and those of its state agencies and the entire government plan, he will ensure that ICT creates job opportunities and wealth, since most economies have succeeded through technology.
He said the department will fast track the digital superhighway and make the fiber optic more efficient and affordable to the end users besides automating government services to achieve an efficient paperless society.
“We have many services on-line but others are still manual, we want to achieve a paperless and effective civil service,” he added.
He also encouraged members of staff to reach him whenever they need his assistance, noting that walking together in service delivery will give value to the citizenry. “I will work together with all stakeholders in order to fulfill the plans of the country,” he added.
While lauding the former PS for the tremendous work he has done for the Department during his five-year tenure, Tanui told him that as a professional in the ICT sector, they will continue to engage him whenever his services are needed.
In his remarks, Ochieng said he is grateful to the appointing authority for giving him five years to serve in the ICT Ministry and added that he is proud to leave the department better than he found it.
“I thank God for the grace he has given me to serve five years in the ICT Ministry and 26 years as a public servant. I transformed the department, I made a mark, I left it better than I found it and I will walk with my head high,” Ochieng said.
He said the new PS is not a stranger in the Ministry as they have worked together when he was the Chief Executive Officer at Konza Technopolis Development Authority before his appointment and lauded him for leaving the authority better than he found it.
Ochieng told the PS to ensure the gains they made at Konza does not get lost by improving it further. He thanked all members of staff for the support they accorded him and assured Tanui that he is ready to assist whenever called upon for consultation.
By Bernadette Khaduli
