Kenya shifts focus to digital governance and trust at ISACA Conference in Mombasa

By:  Robert Kwaku Annor

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo Gitau, has called for a strategic shift in the country’s digital transformation agenda toward stronger governance, accountability, and trust in an increasingly mature digital ecosystem.

Speaking at the opening of the ISACA Kenya Chapter Annual Conference in Mombasa, Kabogo said Kenya has reached a critical stage where the emphasis must move beyond expanding access and innovation to ensuring sustainable and secure digital systems.

He highlighted the government’s progress in expanding the national optic fibre network, which now connects thousands of institutions across the country, including more than 3,700 schools. The expansion, he noted, has significantly improved digital access, connectivity, and learning infrastructure.

Kabogo also pointed to the impact of the eCitizen platform, which has digitised more than 23,000 government services, improving efficiency, transparency, and convenience in public service delivery.

He said the continued rollout of digital hubs nationwide is strengthening inclusion and supporting capacity development, particularly among young people, by equipping them with digital skills and fostering innovation within the economy.

The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that as Kenya’s digital ecosystem grows, building trust through robust governance frameworks and cybersecurity measures will be critical to sustaining progress and unlocking further economic opportunities.

He invited participants to continue discussions on digital governance and emerging technologies at the upcoming Connected Africa Summit in Nairobi, which is expected to bring together stakeholders from across the Global South.

The conference was attended by senior government officials, industry leaders, and global partners, including the Chief Executive Officer of the Information and Communications Technology Authority, Jessy Maruti, and the President of the ISACA Kenya Chapter, Bonface Asiligwa.