July 13^th 2018By Cheruiyot Korir/ Emmaculate Muia

The Cabinet Secretary for ICT Mr Joe Mucheru has said, the Ministry of ICT together with the Standing ICT Committees of Council of Governors, National Assembly and Senate have jointly agreed to form a National ICT Steering Committee.

Speaking after he led members of the three committees to a tour of Konza to assess development progress of the project, Mr Mucheru said, the committee will  provide leadership in  ICT infrastructure roll out across the country that will create employment and ensure efficient and transparent delivery of services through digital platforms to Kenyans.

Speaking at the same event, Baringo Senator and Chair of Senate ICT Committee, Gideon Moi applauded the ministry’s efforts to create jobs through Ajira Program.   The senator challenged Konza Technopolis to protect wildlife within the area. “This land is on the wildlife corridor.  I’m happy to hear you are thinking of the greenery, but you must ensure that there’s a migration corridor for animals.  Our children should benefit from technology but must also enjoy the beauty of our wildlife”

The National Assembly ICT Chair, William Kisang urged the Ministry to urgently set up a National Data center.  “The Ministry must move with speed and set up a National Data Center.  This lack of a data centre is a big risk for us as a country”, the MP said.

Konza Techno City Project Manager Anne Musyimi has said that the City Headquarters under construction will be completed in September this year. The building estimated to cost Kshs 3 billion will host office complex and serve as the administrative headquarters for the Konza Techno City Development Authority (KoTDA).

Konza Chief Executive Officer Eng. John Tanui said the building is designed to meet green standards. Eng. Tanui said, plans are at an advance stage to set up the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). He observed that tenders for construction of KAIST, modelled on the South Korea’s Institute of Science and Technology, will be awarded in September and construction to start immediately. The officer said construction will be completed by 2021, with the first batch of 200 of 600 graduate students starting classes in 2022.

Konza Technopolis is a Vision 2030 project aimed at positioning Kenya, as knowledge based economy and a preferred Science, Technology and Innovation destination. The objective of Technopolis is to build a vibrant innovation ecosystem to promote life Science, Engineering and ICT/ITES that will enhance local innovation, Research and Development, entrepreneurship and Technology enterprise formation culture.