Naivasha: The Government has successfully digitized 19,000 services since July of the previous year, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to enhance service delivery and accessibility for citizens. This development was confirmed by Information Communications Technology (ICT) and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr. Margaret Nyambura Ndung`u.
According to Kenya News Agency, the digitization initiative aims to provide citizens with easy access to government services, thereby improving efficiency and service delivery. Dr. Ndung`u emphasized the collaborative efforts between her Ministry and various stakeholders to ensure not only connectivity but also the usability of these digitized services by the public.
Dr. Ndung`u elaborated, “E-Citizen, for instance, involves both a front-end user interface and a back-end data management system, necessitating capacity building and skills development for end-users.” She made these remarks at the eighth convention of the Kenya Association of Records Manager
s and Archivists (KARMA) in Naivasha, themed ‘From digitization to Digital’.
The four-day conference aims to transition records management practices from digitization to full digital transformation, drawing participation from top record managers, archivists, industry pioneers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
In addressing the transition from the National Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance (SHIF), Dr. Ndung`u assured attendees of ongoing efforts to ensure a seamless shift, highlighting the challenges in connectivity that have affected citizens’ access to health services.
The Government is advancing its last mile digital connectivity initiative, encouraging youth to leverage this connectivity for social and economic development. Plans are underway to construct 1,450 ICT hubs across all wards in the country by 2024, funded by the Government – Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) allocating three percent of its budget towards this digital hubs initiative.
These ICT hubs will serve as
centers for digital literacy training, film creation, and public access to government services. The initiative includes laying 10,000 kilometers of fiber through the digital superhighway project, with 30 kilometers already completed.
Dr. Ndung`u highlighted three pillars of the digitization process: connectivity and access, skilling, and cybersecurity. She stressed the importance of cybersecurity and data protection, particularly in light of increased cybercrime and the risks faced by young people online.
Kenya Association of Records Managers and Archivists (KARMA) Dr. Cleophas Ambira expressed support for the Government’s digitization efforts, noting the hybrid systems adopted by many organizations post-COVID-19. He identified challenges such as the lack of policy frameworks and record management knowledge, emphasizing the need for harmonizing digital and manual systems for efficiency.