60 per cent of State services to be online soon

ICT Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i delivers a speech during the opening of ICT Week on 11/05/2015 at a Nairobi Hotel PHOTO DAVID NJAAGA/STANDARD]

More than 60 per cent of Government services will be delivered electronically by the end of the current financial year, ICT Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has said.

The CS said this is as a result of massive investment in six key ICT projects, the development of ICT infrastructure across the country and the enhancing of favourable policy frameworks to facilitate private sector partnerships and investment in the sector.

Dr Matiangi said his ministry, through the National ICT Master Plan, has provided a clear road map for ICT infrastructure development, policy and institutional reforms to further fast-track growth in the sector.

He made the remarks yesterday when he launched the Communications Authority ICT Week.

"These projects will be backed by the ongoing connection of all the 47 counties to the national, optical fibre backbone infrastructure," said Matiang'i.

Cyber security

The CS also pointed out that his ministry, in collaboration with other ministries, was developing a smart, northern corridor master plan to anchor ICT projects in northern parts of the country.

"We will also work jointly to enhance mobile money transfer across the Eastern African region and harmonise our cyber security plans," he added.

The ICT boss said the sector is expected to grow by 15 per cent this year up from 13.4 per cent last year.

"This growth is evidence that the Government's policies for the sector are working," said Matiang'i. "And that growth in the sector is projected to hit the 20 per cent mark by 2017."

The CS revealed that the Government plans to fund the development of ICT infrastructure in communication-marginalised areas through the Universal Service Fund (USF) in the next financial year.

The Communications Authority ICT Week, which runs up to May 17, offers broadcasters a platform to discuss issues related to content and facilitates deliberations on licensing and compliance for telecommunication operators, providers and vendors.

"The consumer perspective will take centre stage as it has been incorporated in each of the forums," said CA Director General Francis Wangusi at the opening of the week-long event yesterday.