Nairobi: The newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and The Digital Economy, William Kabogo, has pledged to spearhead Kenya's digital transformation agenda to ensure that public services are quickly accessible and delivered efficiently and effectively. He emphasized the urgent need to fully digitize government services, stating that his Ministry will be digitized 100 percent in due course, with a subsequent focus on the entire Government to ensure timely service to Kenyans.
According to Kenya News Agency, during a brief handover ceremony at the Ministry's Headquarters at Telposta Towers in Nairobi, Kabogo took over from Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi. Kabogo expressed optimism in working with all Ministry officers to achieve the mandate of the Digital Superhighway and the Digital Economy. He also pledged to establish a framework to streamline social media use, encouraging responsible usage while upholding constitutional freedoms.
Kabogo highlighted the significance of leveraging social media to disseminate impactful messages that improve Kenyans' lives. He stated, "It is important to be responsible and also to enjoy the freedom of expression enshrined in our Constitution." He added that achieving a balance would facilitate effective communication without contentious issues regarding social media information flow.
Furthermore, Kabogo committed to safeguarding Kenyans' data, urging responsible use without infringing others' rights. He emphasized the need to strengthen the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) to empower Kenyans with a clear understanding of their rights, obligations surrounding data protection, and its limits. He called for collective responsibility to ensure data use is positive and ethical, underpinning trust and accountability in the digital space.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi underscored the importance of effectively communicating the Government's policies, programmes, and projects. He advocated for total transparency and accountability across all government sectors to ensure effective service delivery nationwide. Mudavadi emphasized incorporating digital tools in education to ensure responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Mudavadi also urged citizens, especially media, to leverage their platforms to position Kenya as a leading regional hub. He encouraged Kenyans to champion the country as a prime destination for technological advancements and tourism, boosting its global reputation and economic growth. He called on all Kenyans to embrace accountability, whether in leadership, public or private spaces, or media houses, to better serve society and the country.
Both Cabinet Secretaries encouraged Kenyans to embrace technology and harness its full potential, particularly through innovations like AI, for socio-economic development and sustainable economic growth. They stressed that by leveraging technology, Kenyans can drive change and improve lives by developing creative and useful ideas for impactful and sustainable projects.
The event was attended by the Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Prof. Edward Kisiang'ani, ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary Eng. John Tanui, CEOs and Managing Directors, Departmental Heads, and other Senior Ministry officials.