The government will need KSh456 billion to implement its ambitious 2023-2027 Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy strategic plan, against an available KSh168.3 billion.
Among other things, the plan covers the revitalisation of Postal Corporation of Kenya and the government’s news agencies, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and Kenya News Agency (KNA). It also includes the establishment of a national addressing system and the installation of free Wi-Fi in public spaces.
“The plan takes cognisance that prioritisation of projects and programmes is crucial towards eradicating poverty, creating jobs, increasing revenue collection and improving our foreign exchange balance for economic growth and development,” said Eliud Owalo, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy during the launch of the plan in Nairobi.
Under the plan, the government will strengthen the Office of Data Protection Commissioner to ensure compliance with Data Protection Laws and establish a cyber-security centre to deal with cyber- crime.
On MSMEs transformation, the plan will see the implementation of One Network Area (ONA) to reduce data and call charges across borders and extension of fibre across the country to increase Internet access. The Ministry will also engage in the production and dissemination of media programmes in collaboration with stakeholders on new technologies in the construction of affordable modern, social houses.
On Wednesday, the ministry noted that despite pockets of milestones in the previous 2018-2022 strategic plan, financial constraints, low literacy levels and slow adoption of technologies, cyber threats and attacks and the covid-19 pandemic were major setbacks in the implementation.
However, under the 2018-2022 plan, the ministry said Kenya’s internet subscription grew from 41.1 million in June 2018 to 49.36 million in June 2023, while broadband subscriptions increased from 20.5 million in June 2018 to 33.32 million in June 2023. The proportion of the population covered by Digital Terrestrial Television (DTTV) grew from 78 per cent to 92.13 per cent by 2023 against a target of 100 per cent coverage.
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