Matiang'i appoints six to ICT Authority board

Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and Technology Fred Matiang’i. Photo/FILE 

By OKUTTAH MARK

In Summary

• The six, Timothy M. Waema, Esther Njeri Kibere, Bertha Joseph Dena, Elijah Omwenga, David Mugo and Ugas Sheikh Mohamed, will each serve a term of three years. 
• Kenya ICT Authority came into force in August after that State consolidated the Kenya ICT Board, Directorate of E-Government and the Government Information and Technology Services (GITS) under a new body in a bid to enhance efficiency.
• The Authority will rationalise and streamline the management of all government ICT institutions. It will also advise the government on sectoral development and ICT project implementation and investment.

Information and Communications Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang’i has appointed six members to the board of the newly formed Kenya ICT Authority paving way for the recruitment of its executive officer.

The six, Timothy M. Waema, Esther Njeri Kibere, Bertha Joseph Dena, Elijah Omwenga, David Mugo and Ugas Sheikh Mohamed, will each serve a term of three years. 

The appointments was announced on Friday through the Kenya Gazette Notice and are effective as from January 17.

The Kenya ICT Authority came into force in August after that State consolidated the Kenya ICT Board, Directorate of E-Government and the Government Information and Technology Services (GITS) under a new body in a bid to enhance efficiency.

READ: State ICT institutions merged to streamline operations

The Authority has been operating under an acting CEO, Victor Kyalo but now the appointment of the board members will allow for the kick start the  recruitment process of person to fill the position.

“The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and Technology appoints—Timothy M. Waema (Prof), Esther Njeri Kibere (Ms), Bertha Joseph Dena (Ms), Elijah Omwenga (Prof), David Mugo, Ugas Sheikh Mohamed, to be members of the Board of the Information and Communications Technology, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from 17th January, 2014,” read the Gazette Notice.

The announcement of the board members follows the appointment of Edwin Yinda as the Authority’s chairman in December by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The Authority will rationalise and streamline the management of all government ICT institutions. It will also advise the government on sectoral development and ICT project implementation and investment.

The entity  is also tasked with enforcement of ICT standards in government and enhances supervision of electronic services in an effort to eliminate duplication of roles among government agencies.

The consolidation of the three bodies was motivated by the eliminate the overlap that lead to duplication of activities and wastage of government resources.