Kenya's leading information technology gurus were on hand for the country's three-day ICT conference, which ended Thursday evening. The aim of the gathering was to develop means of increasing speed in connectivity across the country, promote transparent, efficient and effective delivery of public services. Being held in Mombasa, the conference called “Connected Kenya” was being hosted by the country's leading IT industry personnel. Business leaders were expected to discuss the trending technologies currently available and the role the government and private sector can play in pushing forward on improving the IT sector. “I think it was a great conference, one that will enable all the leaders to come together and discuss issues without the worry that someone is going to steal an investor or undercut them,” said an ICT ministry official. Under the theme “Innovating for the Citizen,” the conference also aimed to look at means for technology to be used in coordination with people, including those in rural and remote areas who have long been left off the grid by the sector. Now in its third year running, ICT Minister Samuel Poghisio delivered the opening remarks. Analysts were hopeful that the government would look seriously into automation and digitization of a number of vital services at the conference in the hopes of improving efficiency and accountability within the public sector. As price wars between telecom companies appear to be at an end, the conference, said the ministry official, “comes at an important time to deal with these issues without contention.” BM
