The Communications Authority of Kenya targets a revenue collection of Sh.117.4 billion in the five-year implementation of its 5th Strategic Plan which runs from 2023 to 2027 as it seeks to achieve its core vision of digital access for all.
Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eluid Owalo speaking in Nairobi during the launch said that the strategic plan is coming at a time when ICT is playing a critical role in the Kenya Kwanza plan, where the digital super highway is a thematic area of the country’s development agenda.
Owalo said that CA as a regulator is a key enabler of the government’s ICT agenda and from the policy perspective, the strategic plan is aligned with that of the parent Ministry, the governments Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), EAC Vision 2050, AU Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
‘In the preparation of the strategic plan, CA has looked back introspectively and taken note of the milestones it has a
chieved while implementing the previous strategic plan, the challenge is to maintain the exemplary performance,’ said Owalo.
The CS called on CA to continue providing an enabling environment for the telecommunications companies and everyone that the authority regulates which will support the delivery of the governments’ development agenda.
‘I am happy to note that this is the first time in my experience of strategic planning spanning over 25 years, that I have seen a strategic plan that is self-financing and has got a surplus which indicates that CA is doing a commendable job in matters financial management,’ said Owalo.
During the 4th strategic plan from July 2018 to June 2023, CA’s key achievements include a 45.9 percent increase in mobile phone subscription from 45.5 million to 66.4 million, 62.4 percent increase in broadband subscription from 20.5 million to 33.3 million among others.
In a bid to close the digital access gap, the Authority has in the past five years finalized the rollout of Internet c
onnectivity in 886 public secondary schools spread across 47 counties. The Authority also finalized Phase I of the cellular mobile infrastructure project, which connected 76 sublocations in unserved and underserved parts of the country with mobile connectivity.
Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary (PS) Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani said that as leverage on emerging technologies, we must accommodate the African values and systems so that we can ask Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accommodate them.
‘In doing so we shall have answers that are of African nature and have technological solutions to our local problems,’ said Prof. Kisiang’ani.
The PS called on CA to continue with financial prudence by reducing cost and increasing revenue.
CA Board of Directors Chairperson Ms. Mary Mungai said that the plan is a reflection of their commitment to ensure that every Kenyan can meaningfully benefit from the digital revolution and contribute to their social economic development.
‘As CA, we further seek
to support delivery of BETA by providing opportunities for ICT readiness for Kenyans through implementation of a flagship project that entails the development of a global innovation hub. This will comprise an ICT convention centre, a Smart Multi-office Storey Block and a Data Centre,’ said Ms. Mungai.
She explained that these initiatives underline their unwavering commitment to nurturing innovation, encouraging collaboration and upholding excellence in the ICT Sector.
CA Director General David Mugonyi said that the authority achieved a score of 72 percent in the implementation of the previous strategic plan.
‘Our target for this strategic plan is 95 percent. The strategic plan we are launching today seeks to build on previous achievements,’ said Mugonyi.
He explained that this plan rests on four cardinal pillars: Promotion of Meaningful Connectivity to ICT Services, Empowerment and Protection of ICT Consumers, Fostering Competitive ICT Markets and Emerging Technologies, and; Enhancement of Organizational
Efficiency and Effectiveness.
Mugonyi highlighted that a key deliverable for them is that they must ensure that the digital environment is safe for all especially children and they are working to ensure that service providers live up to the promises they make to consumers.
Universal Service Advisory Council (USAC) Chairperson James Ongwae said that universal Access to ICT continues to create a positive impact on communities and citizens across the country.
‘We see the next five years as a turning point not only for CA but for Kenya as a country as we go through the digital transformation,’ said Ongwae as he emphasized that every Kenyan deserves the right to accessible and affordable ICT services.
Source: Kenya News Agency