32 Capacity Building CHAPTER eight 8.0 CAPACITY BUILDING 8.1 Capacity Assessment The Ministry is in charge of four technical units, namely departments of Information, Public Communications, Telephone Services and ICT. The four departments require personnel with professional skills in the field of information, public communications, telephone operations and ICT operations. The ministry also hasnthe added new responsibility of ICT development in the country. The creation of the ICT Authority is intended to create a one stop shop for all ICT related issues. The ministry, therefore, needs to recruit ICT professionals, information and public communication officers to work in these departments. · A capacity analysis needs to be done in the Department of Information and Public Communications to facilitate optimal utilisation of personnel in the most efficient and effective way, and help the departments in achieving their set goals and objectives. With the creation of counties and county governments, a new structure needs to be developed to take cognisance ofEestablishment of co-ordination, collaboration and linkage mechanisms for wider consultations amongst national and county governments. · Employment of information and public communications officers in the devolved units of governmen and facilitating and equipping the departments for effective service delivery. The Departments of Public Communications and that of Information are highly affected by shortage of staff, partly due to non-filling of posts left vacant by retirement, resignations, deaths, transfers and dismissals. As at June, 2004, the ministry’s establishment was at 2,051 posts with an in post of 715 officers. Due to reorganisation of the Government, the Ministry has an authorised establishment of 2,051 with an in post of 754 and a variance of 1,297 officers. This has affected productivity in the said technical departments. Shortage of staff and lack of essential equipment has also hindered efficient service delivery. 8.2 Capacity development strategy In order to address the human resource capacity constraints, the ministry plans to develop a critical human resource mass that is capable of delivering the results of Kenya Vision 2030 through appointment, recruitment and capacity building of new officers to fill the vacant posts. In addition, the ministry should procure additional modern equipment to facilitate officers in the ministry to discharge their duties. ICT Authority needs to be adequately staffed and equipped. The ministry endeavours to offer training to all its officers and develop a sound succession management plan. 8.3 Cost of Capacity building and Development Strategy The estimated cost of capacity development is Ksh.20M million per annum to cover personnel and training. Additional resources will be required for personnel emoluments and procurement of plant and equipment.