How Gov't Adoption Of Technology Could Bring Transformation To The Country
The Digital technologies embraced by the Kenya Kwanza government are making it easier for Kenyans, even in the most remote parts of the country, to access information and connect with people.
With the government already digitizing at least 5,000 services, this offers tremendous opportunities to simplify, secure, increase efficiency for service delivery, economic transformation and create jobs for young people, and push the nation towards progress and prosperity.
Indeed, digitization brings efficiency, as has been witnessed in developed countries. By integrating technology into various departments and ministries of the government, the country will reduce the bureaucratic hurdles that its citizens have experienced in the past. For example, the cabinet secretariat of Kenya, since immemorial, has operated its activities manually.
For the purpose of providing quality services to the cabinet and other government agencies and improving efficiency and effectiveness, it has embraced paperless reporting as the government kicked off its digitization drive.
The Judiciary also adopted technology in its move to digitize the courts through a pilot project by the Ajira Digital program.
Over 1500 youths trained under Ajira Digital were trained and deployed to courts across the country to deliver various tasks, including scanning, data entry, and transcription, which has resulted in reduced lead time for court cases determination from fifty-seven days to twelve days and the court case filing duration from five hours to twenty minutes; increasing and streamlining the judicial processes.
These moves set the pace for other sectors to adopt digitization to achieve transformation and pave the path to a prosperous nation.
How the adoption of technology brings transformation to the Country
In the bid to accelerate the uptake of digital technologies to increase government efficiency and productivity as well as growth in the private sector towards growing the Country’s GDP, the government is implementing multiple programs, including but not limited to Ajira Digital, Digital Literacy, Jitume, the National Optic Fibre Backhaul Initiative (NOFBI), among others.
The Ajira Digital program, an initiative of the government under the Ministry of Information Communication and the Digital Economy, aims at equipping over 1 million young people annually with digital work opportunities while positioning Kenya as the choice labour destination for multinationals.
The program is implemented by eMobilis Technology Training Institute and KEPSA with the strategic partnership of the Mastercard Foundation.
According to the report released by CS Owalo recently, the Ministry of Information, Communications, and Digital Economy through Ajira Digital Program has raised countrywide awareness of digitally enabled jobs and the digital economy to 53 percent among adults and 56 percent among youth.
A survey by the Mastercard Foundation, conducted in 2022, showed that roughly over 1.9 million Kenyans were engaged in the digital and gig economy. This was an increase from 638,000 in 2019—a very promising sign for the digital economy and digital entrepreneurship.
The CS report further indicated that over 366,000 young people have been trained in digital work-readiness skills, and over 120,000 have been directly linked to online freelance jobs through the Ajira program since inception. Through affordable access to the internet, the government continues to empower young people to navigate the digital landscape confidently.
For instance, Clifford Okoth, has experienced high-level impact after training in transcription and started online freelancing at Webuye East Ajira Youth Empowerment Centre. Now, he is empowering peers in his community through the CBO he established.
Currently, the CBO has over 50 members who are online workers and actively involved in the poultry production business, where they are able to make a decent income and support their families while working towards their dream of growing their business to a multinational brand.
He has also received grants from international NGOs such as Ampath Global and donations from the community as a result of his efforts to grow with fellow youth through online and digital work. From a college dropout to an empire owner born and brought up in Webuye town, Clifford's story is one of triumph against all odds. His focus has been to support his family and grow a global poultry business powered by digital technology.
Digitization Bridging the Digital Divide in the Country
Digitization will accelerate the closure of the digital divide witnessed in the country, enabling technology to become more accessible and breaking down socio-economic barriers while at the same time providing opportunities for all Kenyans to participate in the digital economy.
The Ministry of Information, Communication, and Digital Economy has stressed the government’s
commitment to construct 100,000km of national fibre optic connectivity network to ensure that areas that are not ICT-enabled get an upgrade by having adequate ICT infrastructure.
So far, since the beginning of the year, over 5000 km of fiber optic cable have already been laid by both the government and the private sector. The Cabinet Secretary mentioned that this will entail a reduction in the cost of data to ensure affordability.
Additionally, the government has launched free Wi-Fi hotspots in larger markets in Nairobi, Bondo, Ahero, Kericho, Kapsabet, and Nyeri to promote e-commerce in the country and is committed to launching an average of 25,000 hotspots by 2027. Besides hotspots, the vendors in these markets are accessing free digital marketing and eCommerce training by Ajira Digital to grow their sales through online markets.
This inclusivity by the government will not only foster social cohesion but also boost the country’s economy, catalysed by the adoption of digital technologies that allow for tapping into resources previously untapped.
The Cabinet Secretary assured that the first batch of affordable smartphones, which will cost about Ksh.5,000 (USD 40) and be ready this year, women and men will be able to use digital spaces to find jobs, connect with people, engage in e-commerce, and access government services with ease.
The use of digital tools and platforms will spread across the country, including among marginalized and underserved communities. Additionally, the country will attract foreign investments and enhance its international competitiveness on a global platform.
Innovation and entrepreneurship will thrive due to a conducive environment for start-ups and businesses, thus driving digital economic growth and job creation.
Although many netizens are afraid that digitization of government services might lead to the loss of traditional jobs, keep in mind that it will also generate more new unconventional jobs that can be accessed by anyone regardless of their physical location, especially with the growing digital empowerment by the government and private sector.
The Cabinet Secretary mentioned that the future of work is online, and the key lies in investing in reskilling and upskilling programs like the work-readiness skills offered by Ajira Digital to equip the workforce with the skills demanded by the digital economy.
As the government embarks on this digital journey, proactive and preventive measures are being put in place to counter any potential cyber threats. Such measures are taken both at the institutional and individual levels by building formidable cyber defense systems and accelerating digital literacy.
Free Cyber security skills training and digital gig opportunities are accessible to all young Kenyans via www.ajiradigital.go.ke
The Future Works Online!
The writer, Ken Mwenda, is eMobilis Co-founder & MD