Nairobi: The Government has launched a sensitization forum for more than 100 Public Communication Officers drawn from ministries, departments, and agencies to build their competencies in digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills. The Digital and AI Skilling for Information and Public Communication Officers Sensitization Forum, held at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Nairobi, is part of a government initiative aimed at equipping public servants with the tools and knowledge to leverage emerging technologies for efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric service delivery.
According to Kenya News Agency, the programme is implemented by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, through the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Microsoft, and the Kenya School of Government (KSG). Speaking when he officially opened the forum, Principal Secretary (PS) for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Stephen Isaboke, stated that digital transformation has become the foundation of innovation, service delivery, and governance in the 21st century.
Isaboke said the government recognises digitalisation as one of the five key pillars driving equitable economic growth under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). He added that the vision is anchored in key policy frameworks, including the National Digital Master Plan (2022-2032) and the Kenya National Broadband Strategy (2018-2028), which reaffirm the government’s commitment to building a digitally empowered, knowledge-based economy, guided by innovation, inclusion, and ethical use of technologies such as AI.
Isaboke explained that through these policies, the groundwork is being laid for a digitally competent public service, capable of harnessing technology to enhance governance, improve service delivery, and strengthen citizen engagement. ‘Digital and AI skilling is, therefore, not an afterthought; it is a necessity for Kenya to remain competitive in the global economy,’ he added.
The PS disclosed that the Ministry is implementing targeted programmes to translate the digital vision into action, including leveraging the country’s expanding communication infrastructure to strengthen government communication through capacity building of information and public communication officers. ‘Our goal is to ensure every Ministry, Department, and Agency, has professionals equipped with modern tools and the digital literacy needed to engage citizens effectively in an increasingly connected world,’ he reiterated.
Isaboke highlighted ongoing partnerships between government, academia, and the private sector, designed to empower public officers to thrive in the digital economy. He noted that the collaborations are helping to actualise training curricula that integrate AI, data analytics, and digital innovation, ensuring that public servants remain at the forefront of technological transformation.
The PS cited the Regional Centre of Competence (RCoC) for Digital and AI Skilling, established in 2024 through a partnership between the Ministry, UNDP, KSG, and Microsoft, as a key milestone in bridging the digital skills gap across government. ‘So far, over 11,000 public servants have enrolled in the training, and we are on course to upskill 100,000 officers by next year,’ he revealed.
Isaboke noted that the Centre represents a major paradigm shift, where the public service is evolving from being a passive adopter of technology to becoming an active driver of digital transformation. He emphasised that a digitally skilled public service will enhance efficiency, transparency, and citizen trust, aligning with the government’s Digital Superhighway Agenda under BETA.
‘You are not only custodians of public information and storytellers of government progress but also ambassadors of innovation,’ he told the officers. ‘By communicating the benefits of these programmes and activating digital strategies within your MDAs, you help reinforce Kenya’s transformation toward a digital-first government,’ added the PS.
Isaboke called on all stakeholders in government, academia, development partners, and the private sector to join hands in building a digitally skilled, innovation-driven Kenya. ‘Digital and AI Skilling is our gateway to the future. Together, we can unlock the full potential of technology to transform public service, create new opportunities for our youth, and secure a prosperous digital future for all Kenyans,’ he urged.