Technology's Role in the Transformation of Governments
The Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, speaking during the launch in Nairobi, reaffirmed that technology was crucial in implementing efficient and transparent government operations. He noted that the government has its eyes on improving service delivery through digitalization and automation of key processes so that the public services could easily be accessed by its citizens over the internet.Gachagua also noted that inspiration for this undertaking draws from the Kenyan Vision 2030 economic blueprint, which underlines how important a role ICT plays in knowledge creation for wealth generation, social welfare, and international competitiveness.
Investment in the Digital Superhighway
To catalyze this digital transformation, the government of Kenya has allocated KSh 16.3 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year to invest in the digital superhighway. This investment is projected to achieve ambitious objectives by the administration, entailing catalysis of transformation and inclusive growth within the Health, Agriculture, and MSME sectors.Gachagua further elaborated that as much as international travels remained one of the biggest financial expenditures, they were important in terms of networking, learning, and partnership building. At this juncture, he emphasized the aspect of sustainability to avoid abuse of such opportunities.
The Role of FoTMIS in Managing Foreign Travels
The launch of FoTMIS is the attainment of an important milestone in the bid to enhance the efficiency and accountability levels of foreign travel processes at the government level. It takes over the cumbersome manual processes with a streamlined, automated approach that has lessened burdens pertaining to fulfilling obligations and securing approvals.Gachagua said that FoTMIS would trigger austerity measures in government as it enhances efficiency and transparency and restores trust and accountability among the public.
PDMIS: A Tool for Accountability and Implementation
Presidential directives implementation will, therefore, be recorded, tracked, and reported on through the PDMIS. The system replaces the previous traditional manual dispatch methods and avails a more robust feedback mechanism. Gachagua said the employees of the government, who form a significant part of this system are left to implement the said directives.He called on public officers to exploit the potential of such systems to turn technological advancements into tangible results that can make a difference in the lives of Kenyan citizens. He reiterated the aspect of integrity in the use of such systems, ensuring that whatever information is submitted is correct and verifiable as a way of securing the integrity of the system.
Commitment to the Digital Agenda
The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, Dr. Margaret Ndung'u, hailed the launch of PDMIS and FoTMIS as a milestone in the government's digital plan. She added that these systems were not only technological advancements but a reflection of the Government's unwavering commitment to digital transformation.Dr. Ndung'u noted that the government had continued to undertake the work of digitalizing services, deploying 25,000 hotspots across the country. She noted that no citizen should be left behind in this digital era and that government initiatives were aimed toward inclusion.