Digital Transformation Key to Enhancing Productivity and Performance in Public Service Delivery, Says ICT PS John Tanui

Principal Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, CBS, has emphasized that digital transformation is increasingly becoming a critical driver of productivity, efficiency, and performance across Kenya’s public sector.

Speaking during the National Productivity and Performance Conference 2026 organized by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the PS noted that the strategic adoption of emerging technologies is enabling government institutions to deliver services faster, more efficiently, and with greater transparency and accountability.

Addressing a session on Leveraging Emerging Technologies and Digital Transformation to Enhance Productivity and Performance in Public Service Delivery , Eng. Tanui highlighted the transformative impact of digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, big data analytics, and interoperable government systems in modernizing public service delivery.

He noted that Kenya's digital transformation agenda, anchored on the Kenya National Digital Masterplan 2022–2032 and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030, continues to deliver measurable results across government.

The PS cited key milestones including the expansion of the eCitizen platform to over 22,000 government services, enhanced broadband connectivity across the country, implementation of the Government Enterprise Architecture (GEA) and Government Interoperability Framework (GIF), rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA) digital ecosystem, and deployment of the Maisha Namba digital identity system.

“These initiatives are demonstrating how technology can enhance operational efficiency, improve citizen experience, strengthen accountability, and support evidence-based decision-making across government,” said Eng. Tanui.

He observed that digital platforms have significantly reduced service delivery bottlenecks while enabling public institutions to serve more citizens effectively through automation and data-driven processes.

The Principal Secretary further underscored the need to accelerate interoperability among government systems, strengthen data governance frameworks, enhance cybersecurity resilience, bridge the digital divide, and scale the responsible adoption of emerging technologies to unlock greater productivity gains.

“Digital transformation is no longer simply an ICT agenda; it is a national productivity agenda. The focus must now shift towards ensuring that technology investments translate into measurable outcomes that improve the lives of citizens,” he said.

The session was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Prof. J. W. Khamasi, EBS, Principal of the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya-AIST). Panelists included Amb. Prof. Elijah Bitange Ndemo, CBS, Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Nairobi; H.E. Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot, Deputy Governor of Nandi County; ICT Authority Chief Executive Officer Jessy Kiveu Maruti; KENET Executive Director Prof. Meoli Kashorda; and Huawei Technologies Director of Public Affairs and Spokesperson Eng. Maureen Wanjiku Mwaniki.

The panel explored opportunities and challenges in leveraging digital technologies to improve productivity in the public sector and underscored the importance of collaboration among government, academia, industry, and development partners in accelerating Kenya’s digital transformation journey.

As Kenya advances its digital economy agenda, the Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy remains committed to leveraging technology and innovation to build a more efficient, citizen-centric, and high-performing public service.