Based on institutional and situational analysis, the Master Plan is inrecognizance of the fact that Kenya’s ICT potential has not been leveraged to its maximum to drive social and economic development. Currently, it is not clear how much ICT is contributing to GDP despite its
exponential growth in the last couple of years. The economic survey
reports clusters ICT as a subset of ‘Transport, Storage and Communications’ sector making it a challenge to determine its actual contribution to GDP. Further, the ICT
professionals have not yet managed to form a credible and legally recognized professional body to recruit and regulate ICT professionals,
and to set standards and code of ethics for its members.
‘How the country
steers ICT
development over
the next four or
so years to 2017
and beyond will
greatly impact on
the achievement
of the country’s
Vision 2030’
Finally, it is the expectation of the taskforce that the implementation
of this ICT Master Plan will unlock the high potential of the ICT sector in the country. This will create a digital society and economy that
is able to exploit the global, regional, national and local opportunities
presented by the dynamic sector of information and communication
technologies to advance its socio-economic growth leading to an enhanced quality of life by all the people of Kenya.
1.1 Rationale for Developing the
National ICT Master Plan
ICT has a critical role in driving the economic, social and political
development of Kenya as espoused in Vision 2030. How the country
steers ICT development over the next four or so years to 2017 and
beyond will greatly impact on the achievement of the country’s Vision
2030. There is a need to align the National ICT Master Plan to the devolution reality and address key challenges that may hinder the ICT
sector from playing its rightful role in national development. The reasons that led to the review of Connected Kenya 2017 ICT Master Plan
launched in 2013 are as follows:
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a) to validate by an independent team of professionals;
b) to involve the key stakeholders more;
c) to align it with the constitution;
d) to align with the Jubilee Manifesto; and
e) to take into account the realities of devolution.
1.2 Taskforce Terms of
Reference
Prof. Timothy Mwololo Waema chaired the taskforce and the list of
the taskforce members are shown in Annex 1. The assignment for the
taskforce was to review the existing National ICT Master Plan and realign with the strategic direction of the country, the final product being a National ICT Master Plan for Kenya for the period 2013 to 2017.
The following were the terms of reference for the taskforce:
a) To review the strategic objectives of ICT in the public sector as articulated in the E-Government strategic plan and leading public sector organizations.
b) To review the Connected Kenya 2017 Master Plan and associated
support documents and identify any important gaps.
c) To develop a revised Connected Kenya 2017 Master Plan with appropriate vision, objectives, outcomes and other important aspects of
a plan.
d) To conduct stakeholder consultation sessions to validate the revised Master Plan and to ensure alignment with the Constitution of
Kenya and Vision 2030.
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