Government and private sector officials are deliberating on ways counties can improve service delivery by using shared ICT infrastructure and services. The fifth Connected Kenya conference at Whitesands, Mombasa has brought together several cabinet secretaries, governors, members of the parliamentary select committee on Energy and ICT and the representatives of local and multinational ICT companies.

The discussions have focused on how county governments can use ICT to deliver quality and reliable service in line with the Connected Kenya 2013 theme: County Citizens. Served.

ÏCT is a key enabler towards the realisation of the Vision 2030 but different counties have different capacities. We need to create synergy and partnerships so as to avoid duplication of services and save costs,” said Dr. Fred Matiangí, Cabinet Secretary, ICT.

Dr. Matiangí added that shared data base on health and education between county governments and the central government could help deliver quality services to citizens.

“A doctor at Kenyatta National Hospital should be able to access a patient’s records being treated in Mombasa,” the Cabinet Secretary said.

Matiang’i noted that Citizen Information Centres is a requirement in the law adding his ministry will create the centres in every county.

“Citizens must be engaged in developing solutions for effective public sector delivery. We must use our own experiences and recent history to contribute to the discourse on open governance and knowledge society.”

The Dr. Matiangí was joined by other Cabinet Secretaries who emphasized the importance of ICT in running efficient county governments even as it emerged that President Kenyatta has consolidated the different government ICT units into one department.

Cabinet Secretary for Industrialization Adan Mohammed added disruptive technology and collaboration will bring innovation in the public sector.