The Secretary to the Cabinet, Mercy Wanjau, has emphasized Kenya’s significant strides in digital transformation while outlining the government’s ambitious agenda to bridge the digital divide and foster partnerships that will propel the country into a leading digital economy.
During her address, Mrs. Wanjau acknowledged the Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC) and its partners for organizing the event, underscoring the importance of collaboration in the ICT sector. The summit’s theme, “Bridging the Digital Divide and Unleashing the Power of Partnerships,” resonated deeply with her, as she reflected on her career in ICT and her current role, where she has witnessed the transformative power of technology firsthand.
Mrs. Wanjau highlighted the successful implementation of the e-Cabinet system, which revolutionized the management of government operations, significantly enhancing efficiency. She noted the pervasive influence of social media and e-commerce platforms in Kenya, with over 5 million accounts being utilized for trade, and emphasized the increasing role of e-learning, especially post-COVID-19.
Despite these advancements, she acknowledged the challenges that remain, particularly the digital divide affecting students from public schools and marginalized areas. To address these disparities, Mrs. Wanjau emphasized the government’s commitment to digital inclusivity through initiatives like the installation of 100,000 kilometers of national fiber optic cables, the creation of 1,450 digital hubs, and the provision of Wi-Fi in public spaces.
She also called on the private sector to play a crucial role in driving Kenya’s digital agenda by investing in domain names and fostering innovation. Looking ahead, she revealed Kenya’s ambitious target to onboard 1 million domains by 2030, a goal that will require robust partnerships between the public and private sectors.
In a lighter moment, Mrs. Wanjau shared a quiz about the most expensive domain names and closed her speech with a humorous note, urging the audience to seize opportunities for digital growth with determination.
The summit highlighted Kenya’s ongoing efforts to leverage technology for economic growth, with a focus on ensuring that all citizens benefit from the digital revolution.
