The government intends to embrace a technology driven economy to position the country as a leader in digital hub in the region.
Head of the Smart Government directorate Mr. Gilbert Matura reiterated the governments’ resolve and vision to adopt the latest technological concepts including the artificial intelligence (AI) in running the economy to put the country in the global map.
He told an opening ceremony of a two days Smart Government Summit in Nairobi that key stakeholders and tech experts were meeting to deliberate on ways of fusing new technologies in governance and related economic practices to realize a transformative change.
.“We stand at the threshold of a new era where technology and data are not just tools, but integral elements of governance.” He stated.
The theme of the summit “Reimagining Governance: Agile, Open, Inclusive,” is a testament to the government’s commitment to Open Government Partnership (OGP) in promoting transparency and inclusivity in governance and its role in strengthening open governance practices and increasing participation in decision-making.
Mr Matura outlined his department’s core functions like Collaboration and Consultation on Digital Transformation, Acceleration of Government Service Automation, Continuous Improvement and Modernization of Smart Government Services and Establishing Design Standards and Governance Frameworks for Digital Services each designed to advance Kenya’s digital agenda.
The Smart Government lead stated that the Summit stands at the forefront of the country’s digital transformation, bridging the gap between advanced digital technologies and government operations.
“Our government’s commitment to integrating digital technologies in our operations is exemplified by the creation of this department. In line with this, the President has issued a directive to digitize all government records, paving the way for a paperless government.” Mr. Matura added.
The summit provided critical confluence for discussing the integration of digital solutions in government, offering a unique perspective on the future of digital government.
The Conference which brought together various partners including SpaceAI, ActionLab and African eDevelopment Resource Centre was a collaboration between the State Government Department and dx5.
In closing, he said that by bringing together visionary leaders from both the public and private sectors, the government is creating a space where innovative ideas can flourish, driving the modernization of public infrastructure and enhancing service delivery for millions of citizens.
“We’re excited to see how these discussions will shape the future of digital governance on the continent,” Matura concluded.
Key speakers who graced the occasion included the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy, Dr Margaret Ndung’u, and Secretary to the Cabinet, Meryc Wanjau.
By Jacquiline Adyang
