The government of Kenya, in conjunction with the private sector, has come up with an ICT capacity programme in the public service to improve efficiency and service delivery.
The Presidential Digital Talent Programme (PDTP) will train graduates through an internship to develop ICT leadership skills. Through the initiative, about 100 interns will be trained for a year in four quarters. This is expected to develop an ICT talent pool, said ICT Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
President Uhuru Kenyatta welcomed the initiative as an important method for imparting skills on young talent. He said his government fully supports the initiative and pledged funds in the next financial year.
“The programme is at the core of young people as it assists them build capacity to participate fully in nation building,” he said.
The President said Government used technological advancements to improve security in the country, citing the national surveillance tender awarded to mobile service provider Safaricom.
President Kenyatta directed that key ICT players be involved at the national and county governments.
“The public service of the future will require innovative use of ICT skills for efficiency in service delivery”, President Kenyatta said.
The programme is designed to use ICT for efficient and effective Government, economic growth and job creation in line with the Jubilee manifesto.
Its benefits include increased skills, public/private sector collaboration and economic growth that boost ICT contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product