Covid-19 has accelerated digital transformation, says Senator Moi

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi (l) with ICT Principal Secretary Jerome Ochieng and ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has said the Covid-19 pandemic has made many companies and Kenyans to shed off old ways of doing things.

The Kanu chairman said the ‘new normal’ brought about by the virus has heralded increased use of ICT platforms.

He said Kenya and the world will not be the same again in post-Covid era.

The senator said, in the past one year, there has been accelerated digital transformation in many spheres.

Gideon said most government organisations and businesses have turned to digital platforms and solutions.

New normal

“The Covid-19 era has brought forward a new normal, one that will accelerate digital transformation in many areas. These include digital economy, digital finance, digital government, digital health and digital education,” said the senator.

He said this yesterday in Mombasa while opening an induction and planning workshop for the Senate Committee on Information and Technology.

Gideon, who is the chairman of the committee, said the world has changed in many ways since the onset of Covid-19, which has seen many people working from home.

“With a big portion of the Kenyan population working from home and with students out of school at one point in 2020, the internet has become our classroom, our workplace, our meeting space and business platform,” said Moi

The senator explained that Information Technology plays a vital role in the development of the country and that is why it is important for the senators and other State officials to actively participate in deliberations on issues pertaining to IT.

He said that after the deliberations, his team will be well informed on how to make laws relating to IT which will drive development.

“This workshop is timely, urgent and important in seeking to enhance cooperation in the ICT sector which has direct effect in achieving the Big Four government agenda,” said Moi.

He asked the participants to consider matters relating to technology engineering, electronic research, information, broadcasting and ICT development during their deliberations.

“It is my hope that this induction will help senators to understand the mandate of the committee and the importance of the committee in a Legislature,” said Moi

He said the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed frailties and digital divides that have been allowed to develop for far too long.

He said senators would be seeking to find answers by taking into account the lessons learned and good practices gained during the Covid period.

“There’s need to scrutinise stalled projects, especially in the counties, such as the county connectivity and the fibre optic backbone infrastructure, among others. This will facilitate a smoother transition to the new normal,” said Moi.

Information Communication and Technology Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, who accompanied Moi, said the ministry will always facilitate other State organs with information and knowledge on IT.

Mucheru said despite the numerous challenges occasioned by Covid-19, the pandemic has also helped in creating job opportunities in many areas.

“Although Covid-19 has caused havoc in the world... it has come with its own challenges, but from a technological point of view, it has created job opportunities for the youth,” said Mucheru.