October 23, 2018 www.mygov.go.ke NEWSFOCUS | 15 CONNECTED SUMMIT 2018 Theme : Preserving our Heritage, Pioneering Technology Date : 22nd - 24th October 2018, Bomas of Kenya MESSAGE FROM THE CABINET SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY I welcome you to the Bomas of Kenya for the 10th edition of the Connected Kenya Summit. I wish to reiterate H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta’s clarion for a robust partnership and synergy between the public and private sector so that as a country we can achieve socio-economic growth through ICT. It is in this regard that I laud the sector’s thought leadership for their Contribution to policy making, over the years, through the Connected Kenya forum. It is noteworthy that the National ICT Master Plan (2014-2017), one notable outcome of Connected Kenya, has guided the creation of an enabling policy, legal and regulatory environment. I have no doubt that this conference will also discuss and proposed policy interventions to guide the development of a dynamic and robust ICT sector in Kenya. Joe Mucheru, EGH, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of ICT The government through the Ministry of ICT has embarked on key ambitious projects that include: Creating a single source of truth, with the aim of providing every Kenyan a single unique identity from birth; Efficient government with centralised procurement of ICT products and services for all MDAs and creation of a Digital country through digitization in all sectors and facets of our lives. This will include digitization of processes in National and County Governments and use of Technology in key activities such as education, health, security and identify, land titling, finances amongst others. As a way of responding to global development in ICT Sector, the Ministry of ICT has identified crypto currency and block chain as one of the future drivers of the economy and a task force has been formed to develop strategies and policies to guide the country. Meanwhile the Ministry has developed the National ICT Policy and ready publishing. Kenya remains a regional ICT powerhouse as seen in innovations that have driven areas like mobile banking to the next level. Kenya is also the ‘Silicon Savannah’ that is hosting over 10 ICT hubs that are providing business solutions to every sector in the economy. At the same time, ICT continues to enable the realization of the government’s Big 4 Agenda: Food security, affordable housing, manufacturing and accessible healthcare. One of the expected outcomes of this conference is the creation of business opportunities and solutions for e-health, fintech, agriculture, manufacturing as well as the digital transformation of public service delivery. The theme of Connected Summit 2018 is “Preserving our heritage, pioneering technology”. This MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ICT AND INNOVATION Welcome back to another edition of the Connected Kenya Summit. The State Department of ICT and Innovation has continued to implement the National ICT policy and foster innovation. The Computer Misuse and Cyber Security Bill has been developed with close collaboration with the Parliament. The Privacy and Data Protection Bill is also already at an advanced stage. These are among the many policies and legislation the Ministry has been driving I am proud of the progress we have made in digitising and entrenching ICT across government by promoting e-Government services and providing ICT technical support to MDAs. Backed by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Executive Order, we have successfully developed the www.tenders.go.ke website. This platform publicly provides all information relating to government procurement to promote openness and transparency. These projects and initiatives could only be achieved through partnership and collaboration. The Connected Kenya summit is an extension of this partnership. Connected is the only summit that brings together industry players, the legislative arm of government and the technical arm from the Ministry to engage and find solutions. I look forward to seeing this formidable team fast track issues in the ICT sector and quickly get solutions at Bomas of Kenya. By its very nature, technology is ever changing and disruptive. We have sought to tap into this spirit of positive change by moving the location of Connected Kenya 2018 from the coast to the city. This year, we want to explore how to embed technology in our culture and heritage. It is for this reason that we identified Bomas of Kenya, with its cultural significance, as the ideal location for Connected Kenya 2018. I look forward to having new discussions, hacking new solutions and demonstrating how culture-based technology can come to life. Welcome to Connected Kenya 2018 and I look forward to fruitful deliberations and positive outcomes. is in line with my message to the country this year on the need to leverage on ICT to preserve our nation’s rich heritage in line with the Constitution of Kenya. In our efforts to claim our space as the tech leader of Africa, we should not lose our rooting in the African culture. Instead, there is need to find innovative ways to positively deploy technology to collect, document, disseminate and propagate the country’s heritage, especially to the young generation. As a nation, we need to appreciate what is unique to us. There is a way in which some of our Kenyan genres cannot be explained in another language. There is need to create a melting pot, a repository of those things that are so unique to us, as Kenyans and then grow our own ideas. The ever-changing reality of today demands that we safeguard and reconnect with our cultural values. These values include respect, openness, generosity and collaboration. So far, only three African languages have been translated and my question is: if we don’t do anything will Kenya’s languages and culture stand a chance to be known by the world? Let us all,therefore, reflect on this using this year’s Connected, then build on those conversations to get into action, so that Kenya’s rich culture is not lost. And so, Bomas of Kenya has a twist to what’s truly Kenyan and so is the right place to have that conversation. The deliberations in the Summit will also be around emerging and new challenges like fake news, cyber crime and cyber-bullying. Delegates will engage on the vast potential of new technologies that include artificial intelligence and virtual reality which have also redefined and pushed our ethical and moral boundaries. Another issue of concern that will be deliberated on is the collection, privacy and utilization of citizens’ data. The government is keen on engaging all stakeholders so that we jointly safeguard the data of our citizens. In conclusion, I expect that we will share ideas and that we will arrive at solutions that will see the ICT sector driving the realization of the Big 4 Agenda and stamp Kenya’s position as the region’s knowledge based economy. I wish you all a fruitful three day discussions at the Connected Kenya Summit, 2018. MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF BROADCASTING AND TELECOMMUNICATION I warmly welcome all delegates to the Connected Kenya Summit 2018. The State Department of Broadcasting And Telecommunication has continued to supervise the Telecommunications sector that has grown in leaps and bounds since the privatization of the sector. It is with pride, that I note that Kenya’s Telecommunications and Broadcasting industries are among the most advanced and innovative industries in Africa. Our media industry enjoys freedom and there is now content that is packaged and disseminated in local languages. It is also noteworthy that the Digital Migration has seen the TV and radio broadcast improve the quality of services offered to users that now enjoy a wide range of services for education and information. Jerome Ochieng, Principal Secretary, State Department for ICT MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ICT AUTHORITY BOARD, HON EDWIN YINDA I warmly welcome you to yet another edition of The Connected Summit. Now in its Tenth year, the Summit had grown tremendously witnessing immense growth in becoming the only ICT conference in Kenya that brings together senior government officials, county representatives, private sector players, academia and authorities in ICT to highlight the needs on the ground as both public and private sectors endeavour to deliver efficient services to the citizens. Hon. Edwin Yinda The ICT Authority Board Chairman It is an opportunity to review progress and celebrate achievements in the ICT sector since the last connected and share knowledge, case studies, best practise and lessons learnt based on experiences in the area of ICT for economic development and prosperity. I look forward to high level deliberations which will give us ideas on how best to chart forward a Kenya of economic prosperity using ICT based on review of achievements and lessons learnt in the public, private sector and academia in light of new and emerging technologies. Connected will also provide a platform for meaningful networking that will result in fruitful relationships that contribute to economic development. Once again I say Karibuni Sana. The postal and courier services in Kenya have also been disrupted by Internet penetration, which has led to a shift from traditional postal services to instant electronic communication. The Posta Corporation is evolving accordingly, by entering the logistics and customs business to Fatuma Hirsi, CBS PS, Broadcasting & Telecommunications MESSAGE FROM THE Ag. CEO OF ICT AUTHORITY The ICT Authority has for the last 10 years hosted the Connected Kenya Summit with great honour and pride. Now in our tenth year, we are immensely proud to have witnessed Connected grow into the go-to ICT gathering for engaging, sharing, networking, and showcasing technological solutions that are making a difference. Nairobi awaits the Connected Kenya 2018 delegates with open arms. You will meet a city that, in addition to the warmth of its people, provides comfortable hotel infrastructure and a variety of options for recreation and cultural needs. I am sure the meetings and discussions that will be occurring here will enrich and further strengthen the commitment to improve the quality of life of Kenyans through ICT. I wish to thank all of us for the continued support you have given to the ICT Authority for this conference as well as the industry. John Sergon, EBS My Organizing Team and I hope that you will experience three stimulating days ahead in the beautiful surroundings of Bomas of Kenya. Welcome! Ag. Chief Executive Officer The ICT Authority take advantage of its countrywide network. Additionally, as of September 2018, Posta effected an exemption of its rental postal boxes from VAT to make the service cheaper for customers.
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