The Kenyan government has rolled out an ambitious 100,000-kilometre fiber-optic network project aimed at accelerating digital transformation and equipping citizens with digital skills, with over 20,000 kilometres already laid.

This was revealed by Eliud Owalo, the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President, during the opening day of the 5th International Multidisciplinary Research Conference at Rongo University.

“The government has re-engineered the model to use existing Kenya Power lines, ensuring that wherever there’s a power line, there will also be a fibre line,” said Owalo. “Our goal is to have internet connectivity across the country, empowering people wherever electricity reaches, “.

He noted that the digital infrastructure is central to the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, adding that the expansion of digital skills and access to online government services is key to economic growth.

Owalo emphasized the importance of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and called for minimal yet effective regulation to prevent misuse without stifling innovation.

“Technology is good, but it can be counterproductive if not used well,” he said. “We must craft laws that ensure AI and other technologies are harnessed within the confines of legality while promoting innovation, “.

The Deputy Chief of Staff also said the government’s success in digitizing over 20,000 services on the e-Citizen platform, up from just 350 in 2022. He stated that this has not only eased access to services but also reduced corruption by eliminating unnecessary human interaction.

Regarding concerns over cybersecurity, Owalo assured attendees that the government  has implemented robust risk mitigation frameworks to safeguard citizens’ data on digital platforms.

He further urged youth to become tech-savvy entrepreneurs rather than job seekers, leveraging the digital economy to create village-based job opportunities.