By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
Kenya’s National Government
and County Governments have discussed key priorities affecting the country’s
information and communications technology (ICT) sector, including the cost of
fibre infrastructure, harmonisation of wayleave fees, cybersecurity and
artificial intelligence, at the Second ICT Sector Intergovernmental
Consultative Forum.
The forum brought together
representatives from the two levels of government to review progress on
resolutions from their previous meeting, agree on areas requiring action and
strengthen coordination on ICT sector development.
Speaking after the meeting,
Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy
William Kabogo said discussions focused on the cost of installing fibre
infrastructure, harmonisation of wayleave fees across counties, alignment of
ICT infrastructure with county development plans, and the need to recognise
communication towers as critical infrastructure.
The participants also
discussed cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, implementation of the Kenya
National Digital Master Plan 2022–2032 and coordination of digital hubs across
the country.
“These conversations matter
because the decisions we make at this table have a direct impact on how
citizens access services and how we expand digital connectivity,” Kabogo said.
The forum also reviewed the
rollout of the Digital Maturity Index (DMI), a tool developed by the Council of
Governors and partners to help counties assess their level of digital
transformation, identify gaps and plan investments.
According to Kabogo,
assessments in Kisumu and Turkana counties have been completed, while the
assessment in Kitui is underway and Murang’a is scheduled for November. The
government aims to extend the assessment to all 47 counties and use the
findings to guide digital transformation at the county level.
Kabogo was joined at the
forum by Co-Chair and ICT Committee Chair of the Council of Governors, Wesley
Rotich; Principal Secretary in the State Department for ICT and Digital
Economy, John Tanui; Principal Secretary in the State Department for Broadcasting
and Telecommunications, Stephen Isaboke; Principal Secretary in the State
Department for Devolution, Michael Lenasalon; and other stakeholders and senior
government officials.
As the forum concluded,
Kabogo said the focus must shift to implementing the agreed resolutions,
stressing that cooperation between the National Government and County
Governments is essential to addressing challenges facing the sector and
ensuring digital transformation reaches every county.
