Digital villages get Sh280m boost

By Fredrick Obura

The Government has allocated Sh210 million to the Information Ministry to help set up digital villages across the country.

The latest move could allow Kenyans living in rural areas to save time and money in accessing essential Government services such as obtaining a police abstract and KRA forms.

The allocation is part of the Sh1.15 trillion budget for the 2011/12 financial year tabled by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Uhuru Kenyatta last Thursday.

Uhuru said the funds would be used in setting up computer laboratories in each of the country’s 210 constituency.

Paul Kukubo, the chief executive of the Kenya ICT Board, the body charged with the roll out of the digital centres, says the Government has already trained 1,000 youth awaiting deployment to help run the centres.

"Apart from offering data services in rural areas, the centres would also help Government deliver services online," says Dr Bitange Ndemo, the PS Ministry of Information.

Already, several Government departments have made steps in taking most records online. The centres would help pass these information to the masses and improve our interaction with the community.

digital records

The State Law Office, Immigration, Lands and the Kenya Revenue Authority have digitised most of their records.

Kenya’s Judiciary has also implemented an elaborate electronic management system that will allow judges to preside over cases via videoconference and litigants to monitor progress of cases by sending text messages or electronic mails.

The Government’s previous efforts to implement digital villages hit a snag after key donors pulled out. As a result, the Government abandoned the project, leaving the idea to the telecommunication companies and non-governmental organisations.