Introduction The information and broadcasting sub-sector is made up of two main departments: a) The Department of Information b) The Department of Public Communications Specialised activities under the sub-sector are performed by Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs), which include the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), the Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board, Kenya Institute of Mass Communications and the Media Council of Kenya. The communications sub-sector comprises the telecommunications, ICTs and the postal services. The main departments are: a) The Department of Telephone services b) Directorate of Communications; and c) The Information Technology Services Unit. Specialised services under this sub-sector are performed by the Communication Authority of Kenya, the National Communications Secretariat, the Communications Multimedia Appeal Tribunal, the Postal Corporation of Kenya, the Kenya ICT Authority, The East African Marine System (TEAMS) and the proposed Fibre Optic National Network (FONN). 1.3 PAST PERFORMANCE 1.3.1 ACHIVEMENTS UNDER STRATEGIC PLAN 2008-2013 Under the first Vision 2030-based Strategic Plan, the ICT sector made tremendous progress. Kenya led the world in electronic cash transfer through the mobile telephony platform, resulting in immense benefits to micro-credits and savings. The sector also witnessed development of 60 per cent of the planned national ICT infrastructure to improve universal access to ICT services. The country is currently connected to the international broadband highway through the SEACOM, TEAMS, EASSY, and LION cables. All major towns in the country are now connected through the National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure (NOFBI) and Government Common Core Network (GCCN). Demand for the Internet and data services has been rising, with Internet subscription increasing from 1,579,387 subscribers in 2009 to 8,506,748 in 2012. This has enhanced business activities and created job opportunities. The Government developed a tier-2 Government Data Centre (GDC) infrastructure to ensure security of Government data and applications. Bandwidth support to government offices was increased from 80 to 100 MB of broadband Internet capacity. This has improved the quality and reliability of the Government’s communication system. Several ministries have developed online systems geared towards improving service delivery. They include the re-engineered Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS); County Revenue Collection System; application of public service jobs online; status tracking of ID and passports; public examination results and candidate selection into secondary schools; digitised education content in 12 subjects at the secondary school level; online submission of tax returns; online custom declaration; electronic reporting of corruption; and a business licensing e-registry. The Konza Techno City business plan with its physical development plan was developed. The focus areas to drive growth of the Techno-City include BPO, Internet Enabled Services (ITES), software development, data centres, disaster recovery centres, call centres and light assembly manufacturing. Other initiatives in the sector included establishment of digital villages, digitising government records and providing connectivity to government, learning and social institutions; software development and film production; and establishment of an open data portal. This has made Kenya to be ranked second in Africa and 22nd (2012) worldwide in the open data initiative. The Government developed and implemented the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act, 2009, and the Kenya Information and Communications Regulations, 2010. These legislations led to improved competition and broad choices of ICT services. 3