The Cabinet Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, Dr. Margaret Ndung’u, has officially inaugurated the Smart Government Summit at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. In her keynote address, Dr. Ndung’u outlined the government’s vision for a technology-driven economy, highlighting Kenya’s progress through initiatives like the Digital Superhighway, the National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure (NOFBI), and Digital Village Smart Hubs. These efforts aim to position Kenya as a leader in the digital economy.
“We are on the cusp of a new era where technology and data are not merely tools but core components of governance,” she stated.
Dr. Ndung’u also emphasized the importance of the Trust Summit, launched by President William Ruto, which focuses on strengthening democratic institutions and enabling governments to deliver services more effectively. The Trust Summit aims to address both internal and external threats to governance while restoring trust between governments and citizens.
She further addressed the challenges of cybersecurity, data privacy, and the persistent digital divide in rural areas. Under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the government aims to bridge this divide by expanding digital infrastructure across the country.
“Misinformation and disinformation, exacerbated by digital platforms and technologies like generative AI, pose significant threats to democracy and public trust,” Dr. Ndung’u warned. She emphasized the need for AI-powered fact-checking tools and public awareness campaigns to counter these challenges.
In addition, she highlighted Kenya’s efforts in cybersecurity, revealing that over 1.7 billion cyber threats have been detected in the last seven years. The government is working on a National Cybersecurity Policy and establishing a Cybersecurity Agency to safeguard national digital infrastructure.
The Cabinet Secretary also discussed the recently launched four-year ICT plan, which aligns with the National Digital Masterplan 2022-2032. This plan focuses on expanding broadband infrastructure, implementing digital literacy programs, and delivering e-government services to citizens.
In closing, Dr. Ndung’u spoke on the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships like the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in promoting transparency and inclusivity in governance. She affirmed Kenya’s commitment to OGP and its role in strengthening open governance practices and increasing citizen participation in decision-making.
The Smart Government Summit will take place on October 2nd and 3rd, 2024, bringing together key government and technology leaders to discuss how to integrate AI and technology into governance for transformative change.