September 27, 2018

By David Mukara

Principal Secretary in the state Department of ICT Mr Jerome Ochieng has today re-emphasized the role of ICT as an enabler of the Big Four Agenda as it plays a critical role in Kenya’s socio-economic development.

He said the Ministry will partner with ICT players in the private sector to find the best solutions to implement the Big Four and develop policies and laws to create enabling environment for the industry players to operate in.

He was speaking today at a Nairobi hotel during the launch of Huawei’s Kenya’s sustainability report. He also flagged off nine students to the Peoples’ Republic of China. The students are this year’s beneficiaries of seeds of the future programme.

He thanked Huawei for their continued partnership in programmes such as the Presidential Digital Talent Programme (PDTP) and National Optic Fibre Backbone (NOFBI) implemented through the ICT Authority.

The PS also congratulated the President for his endorsement as the United Nation’s young people Agenda global champion.

“Clearly, that is an indication that the world has seen what His Excellency the President has done for the youth. From us, you are all aware of the Presidential Digital Talent Programme which focuses on the youth,” he said.

ICT Authority Director of partnerships Eunice Kariuki lauded Huawei for their value on sustainability and cited the long partnership, both commercial and non-commercial, between the company and Ministry through ICT Authority. She particularly cited the digital skills for life, another programme that focuses on youth who were not fortunate to join university. It has already been piloted and plans are underway to proceed to phase one of implementation.

Also present during the event were ICT Authority CEO Mr John Sergon, Huawei Kenya CEO Mr Stone He and acting Chinese Ambassador Mr. Li Xuhang.

ICT Authority CEO Mr John Sergon called upon exhibitors and citizens to turn up in large numbers during the Connected Summit, which takes place at Bomas of Kenya next month. Acting Chinese ambassador to Kenya praised the country for ICT related innovations such as mobile money transfer Mpesa which he equated to China’s Alipay owned by e-commerce giant, Alibaba.