The first day of the  ICT Authority stakeholder forum, Kenya ICT Innovation Forum kicked off today bringing together members from the private and public sectors, academia, media, accelerators and innovators  to discuss a range of issues geared at taking the ICT sector to the next level.

Speaking at the forum whose theme was Mind the gap, close the gap, Information Communication Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi said that that players in the sector were still operating in silo and there was need for coordination especially in the critical sectors in the field.

Matiangi also lauded the partnerships formed so far between the government and the private sector that have born fruits it the field.

“If there has been a sector where there have been successful partnerships between government and the private sector it has been in our sector,” said Matiangi.

He added that there should be a meeting once a year between government and private players to focus on innovation so as to support innovation in the country.

Matiangi also said that they are working on a local content policy and that they will be works hopping this at the same time urging the private sector to contribute this.

He highlighted the nine ICT projects by government underway among them Huduma centres, IFIMIS, Digital payments portals and so on that called on participation from the private sector as well.

Apart from the key note addresses and panel discussions, the expo will also bring together innovators who will also be able to show their work to the public through an exhibition at the Kenya International Conference Centre courtyard.

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