Eliud Owalo takes over the ICT ministry from Joe Mucheru

ICT CS Eliud Owalo. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo has said that the ministry will distribute 23,000 virtual desktop devices to TVET institutions all over the country.

Owalo who was speaking during the handover ceremony at TelePosta towers also said that all government services would be digitized as well as government records. This process he said is crucial for an efficient paperless society that is also environment friendly.

According to Owalo the distribution of the computers is part of the plans in place that will help create digital jobs for the youth, which also includes the launch of talent incubation and growth programs.

"To support job creation in other sectors, we are going to deploy ICT to value addition entities and processes in fields like agriculture, manufacturing, transport and communication, commerce, and a wide range of other spheres," he said.

He said that the ministry will support infrastructure for the youth to bring their ideas to the marketplace, and ultimate commercialization of innovative solutions.

This support will be focused on creative work in music, theatre, graphic design, digital animation, fashion, and crafts among others adding that there will be an establishment of infrastructure for arts and culture, including theatres, music auditoriums and art galleries.

According to Owalo there will be a structured framework for government communication which will put in place a contact centre for the public seeking information about the government.

The centre he says will be an efficient and timeous platform for ongoing conversations with the Kenyans adding that the ministry will revitalize the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), calling it an immediate task.

The Kenya News Agency (KNA) will also be revamped and energized, adding that the agency needs to play the lead role in government communications at the national level and in the counties.

He said that he expects KNA to be a reliable and trusted leader in gathering, packaging and disseminating information for media outlets in the country and beyond.

The ministry he says will ensure that technological devices are available and affordable to Kenyans since the ICT ministry will play a big role in facilitating and regulating information and communication technology.