The Senate Committee on Information, Communication and Technology has lauded the progress made in the development of Konza Technopolis.
A press statement to newsrooms Monday indicates that after touring the project, Chairman of the Committee who is also the Baringo County Senator Gideon Moi said they were impressed by achievements of the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) despite financial constraints.
“I must say we are very encouraged with what they are doing and what the management has managed to achieve so far, despite financial constraints which they have had and we have discussed all those aspects. But of utmost importance, they have achieved their set targets amidst limited resources,” said Moi.
He was accompanied by Kitui County Senator Enoch Wambua and his counterparts John Kinyua (Laikipia) and Petronilla Were (nominated), who are all members of the Senate Committee on ICT.
During the site visit, the committee inspected the progress made in operationalizing the National Data Centre, which was early this month launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta when he toured the project.
Present during the tour was KoTDA Board Chairman, Dr. Arch Reuben Mutiso, KoTDA CEO, Eng. John Tanui and Board Members, Ken Waibochi, Eng. Kaburu Mwirichia and Pamela Tutui.
The committee members were briefed on various aspects of the project status and apprised on the legal and financial status of Konza, the achievements the authority has made, on-going activities, challenges and possible areas of legislative and policy collaboration between the committee and the Authority.
Moi noted that the KoTDA management was transforming the Technopolis into a technology and innovation hub, just as envisaged by the Vision 2030.
“Today they have got the data centres which we have seen are up and running. We have seen they are now building the University for Technology and of course, the infrastructure which is on-going in conformity with what the world is currently embracing, which is green buildings in support of global efforts to fight climate change,” said Moi.
The Senator pointed out that currently, there are 15 start-ups at Konza, which further entrenches the Authority’s position as the hub for innovation and technology.
“Kenya is known for innovating MPESA. These are the other MPESAs which are going to be generated from here,” he added.
The Senator said they will support the Konza Bill so as to have the project anchored in law.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
