The 2014 edition of the annual Connected Kenya conference begins today in Mombasa, bringing together government, the private sector and other stakeholders to discuss the implementation of technologies in improving service delivery to citizens.
Organised by the Kenya ICT Authority, the event is in its sixth year and aims to establish a platform for collaboration, capacity building and knowledge sharing between government and the ICT sector.
This year’s event, taking place at the Leisure Lodge Beach and Golf Resort in Mombasa, involves more than 60 private companies, more than 300 C-level executives, more than 10 parastatals, at least 10 government ministries and departments and five donor organisations.
The opening session will feature, among others, ICT Authority chief executive officer (CEO) Victor Kyalo and Ministry of ICT cabinet secretary Dr Fred Matiangi, while day one will also see the launch of the National ICT Masterplan.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are talking about climate or economics, urbanisation or employment, digital applications are reshaping every facet of our existence and presenting us with bewildering array of opportunities and threats. Every conceivable gain brings its own associated challenges, from increased online vulnerability to the simple frustrations of an emerging technology not functioning properly,” said the organisers.
“The Connected Kenya Summit 2014 will explore and highlight key barriers to adoption and implementation of ICT in counties, among crucial citizen demographics and within government. Understanding the barriers to successful implementation of ICT project will allow us to explore how to mitigate these challenges.
“We believe that by clearly articulating the unique barriers facing Kenya’s leap into a digital nation we can begin to design solutions that have a profound effect on delivery of ICT project and public sector service delivery as whole.”
