Kenya must move beyond simply digitising government processes and place digital transformation at the centre of institutional leadership, accountability and public service delivery, senior government officials have said.
The call was made during the third edition of the Digital Transformation Public Sector (DTPS) Forum and Awards in Mombasa, where government, private sector and development-sector leaders examined how digital public infrastructure can be used to deliver faster, more accessible and citizen centred services.
The two day forum, held from September 30 to October 1, 2026, is themed “Advancing Digital Government: Enhancing Service Delivery.” It brings together Principal Secretaries, chief executives, board members, heads of ICT and technology sector partners to discuss the country’s digital transformation agenda.
Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo said the Government’s digital transformation agenda is aimed at making public services more efficient, accessible, transparent and responsive.
He said the Government was strengthening interoperability, secure data exchange and integrated digital platforms while expanding digital infrastructure and digital inclusion across the country.
“Our goal is to build a connected Government that serves Kenyans better,” Mr Kabogo said, adding that emerging technologies and innovation should also create opportunities for young people and strengthen Kenya’s position in the global digital economy.
The forum has placed particular emphasis on digital public infrastructure (DPI) the systems, platforms and infrastructure that allow government institutions to securely exchange information and deliver services digitally.
During a breakout session titled “Governing Digital Transformation: What Must Kenya Get Right?”, leaders questioned whether government institutions are sufficiently prepared to move from isolated digital projects to integrated, end to end services.
The session was chaired by ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary John Kipchumba Tanui and brought together senior officials including Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Steve Isaboke and Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services Dr Belio Kipsang.
Mr Tanui challenged chief executives and board chairpersons to take direct responsibility for digital transformation in their institutions instead of treating it as an ICT department function.
A central question was that Who owns the digital public infrastructure roadmap in each institution?
The PS said Kenya had made progress in areas including artificial intelligence, digital policy, connectivity and foundational infrastructure, but institutions needed to ensure the investments translated into measurable improvements in public services.
The discussions also examined how education, research, cybersecurity, digital identity and electronic payments can be developed as interconnected components of a whole of government digital architecture.
The DTPS organisers say the forum is designed to provide a platform for public sector institutions to share experiences, engage technology partners and identify solutions capable of improving e-government services.
Mr Isaboke said digital transformation should ultimately address real problems facing citizens rather than becoming an exercise in acquiring technology.
He said Government was also strengthening communication and public engagement to ensure citizens understand and participate in the changes brought about by digitalisation.
Dr Kipsang, meanwhile, stressed the need to ensure digital services are accessible to people with disabilities.
He said institutions must factor inclusivity into the design of digital platforms so that technological advancement does not create new barriers for sections of the population.
The emphasis on accessibility comes as Kenya seeks to expand digital government services while increasing connectivity and the use of online platforms.
The forum was officially opened by National Assembly Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation chairman John Kiarie.
In his keynote address, Mr Kiarie called for closer collaboration between government and the private sector and challenged Kenya and other African countries to establish their own role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He questioned how Africa could leverage its large population, diverse languages, indigenous knowledge and young population to develop technologies and digital products capable of competing in global markets.
The legislator also pointed to digital innovation hubs being established across the country as potential platforms for young innovators to develop ideas into commercially viable products.
He said digital transformation should therefore be viewed not only as a government modernisation programme but also as an avenue for entrepreneurship, innovation and economic opportunity.
Mary Kerema, Secretary in charge of ICT, Digital Economy and Emerging Technologies, presented Kenya’s Digital Public Infrastructure Roadmap during the forum.
The roadmap sets out objectives and guiding principles intended to strengthen inclusive and citizen-centred digital services.
Ms Kerema said success should be measured by outcomes rather than the number of systems or activities undertaken.
She challenged institutions to “align, connect and own” their digital transformation programmes.
Her message was that digital investments should fit into a common national architecture, institutions should begin with high value use cases before scaling them up, and senior executives should be accountable for implementation and financing.
The emphasis on interoperability reflects the Government’s broader push to make public digital systems work together rather than leaving citizens to navigate multiple disconnected platforms.
The Ministry previously reported that Government had made progress in digitising more than 19,000 services, while expanding digital infrastructure and developing policies intended to support innovation and investment.
The Mombasa forum comes as Kenya continues to deepen its digital government programme.
The previous DTPS forum, held in February 2025, brought together more than 200 delegates and focused on cross government digital collaboration. It highlighted areas including fibre connectivity, public Wi-Fi, digital hubs and cooperation between government and private sector technology providers.
The DTPS platform was established by Greydale Africa in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy. Its awards recognise public sector institutions that have used technology to improve efficiency, transparency and service delivery.
The 2025 awards recognised innovations in areas including financial services, education, health, energy, transport, agriculture, natural resource management and emerging technologies.
The 2026 forum is supported by technology and development sector partners including Intel, Computer Revolution Africa, Dell Technologies, Fortinet, Huawei and GIZ, according to the organisers.
For Kenya, the discussions in Mombasa underline a growing shift from treating digitalisation as an ICT function to viewing it as a broader governance and service delivery issue.
The challenge now is to ensure that investments in connectivity, data systems, artificial intelligence and digital platforms translate into services that are easier to access, more secure and more responsive to citizens.
The organisers’ central message was that digital transformation cannot be sustained by technology alone. It requires institutional leadership, accountability, interoperability and deliberate efforts to ensure that no citizen is excluded from the country’s digital transition.
