October 31st 2019 By Cheruiyot Korir
The value of the ICT sector expanded from Ksh. 345.6 billion in 2017 to Ksh 390.2 billion in 2018, representing 12.9% growth, Principal Secretary (PS) for ICT, Jerome Ochieng, has said.
Mr. Ochieng said, the growth, driven by the digital platforms, increased the financial inclusion through the use of digital finance solutions such as M-PESA, Mula, PesaLink and Pesapal, that has fueled the country’s general economic growth.
Speaking when he launched the Kenya Economic update report at the Radisson Blu hotel in Nairobi today, Mr Ochieng said, the adoption of such innovations has also contributed to improved and efficient business environments, increased accessibility, connectedness and better standards of living.
“By providing a convenient platform for sending and receiving money and short-term credit, mobile money has become a key mechanism for poverty reduction in Kenya”, said Mr Ochieng.
The Principal Secretary said, the government has adopted technology that has led to faster and efficient delivery of public services. He noted that, Kenya’s e-Citizen portal and the Huduma Centers have improved the speed in which the government serves its citizens.
He explained that, the government is in the process of developing a National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) after the mass registration concluded in May 2019 that collected data on approximately 36 million people. He said NIIMS is expected to establish a population registry that would issue a Huduma Namba for all citizens.
He said, Kenya has started digital transformation initiatives that will leveraged on technology to drive innovation, economic growth, job creation and improved service delivery across several sectors of the economy.
The PS said the initiative has given rise to the growth of various digital applications and services for government, banking, health, housing, transportation and agribusiness that will be key enabler for manufacturing, food security, universal healthcare and affordable housing.