REPUBLIC OF KENYA

THE PRESIDENCY
MINISTRY O DEVOLUTION AND PLANNING

SPEECH BY MS. ANNE WAIGURU, OGW, CABINET SECRETARY,

MINISTRY OF DEVOLUTION AND PANNING DURING THE
LAUNCH OF PRESIDENTIAL DIGITAL TALENT PROGRAM AT
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI, TAIFA HALL TUESDAY, 10th
FEBRUARY 2015
Your Excellency, the President and Commander In Chief of the Armed
Forces of the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta;
Deputy President, Hon. William Ruto;
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of ICT, Dr Fred Matiangi;
Cabinet Secretaries Present;
Nairobi County Governor, Dr. Evans Kidero;
Principal Secretaries;
Vice chancellor University of Nairobi, Prof. M.F. Peter Mbithi;
PDTP Advisory Council Chairman, Muchemi Wambugu;
Graduates of the Presidential Digital Talent Academy;
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen;
Your Excellency,
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I am honored to join you today during this launch of the Presidential

Digital Talent Program which aims at building, within government,
capacity in ICT and digital innovations which will in turn enable better
service delivery to all Kenyans. This programme will provide young
BSc, I.T, Computer Science and other graduates an opportunity for a
full year of on-the-job training thereby enhancing their employability
and creating a pool of well qualified professionals who can be called
upon to ensure effective and efficient deployment of technology
based solutions in both public and private institutions.
Your Excellency
The launch of this programme is in line with various public service
reforms aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and prudent
management of resources to spur the much needed economic
growth as specified in Vision 2030. I wish to commend the Ministry of
Information, Communications and Technology for spearheading this
noble venture.
It is also a critical milestone in the empowerment of young people.
About 500,000 young people join the labour market annually. Of
these, only 25% are absorbed in formal employment. The public
sector is constrained by wage crisis so recruitment of fresh blood is
hardly an option. This programme demonstrates Governments
commitment even in these constrained circumstances to expand
young peoples exposure to formal employment opportunities.
This initiative compliments the revisioned and rebranded National
Youth Service, through which Government has established an
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efficient way of engaging a huge youth labour force and empower

them economically without blowing the up the wage bill.
Through this Presidential Digital Talent Programme Kenya will grow
and prop up a fresh cadre of public servants who internalize the
ethos of public service and espouse the diligence and commitment it
takes to build a country while offering continuity as a new generation
of the population takes part in reengineering service delivery to
Kenyans and ensuring efficiency, quality, speed, convenience and
dignity in service delivery, as well as global competitiveness.
Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the heart of the this Governments transformational agenda

is

recognition that transformation in public service is driven by ICT and

a workforce with the right skills, competencies and attitudes. We are
encouraged by the enthusiasm of the young interns. The fact that
you took the initative to put in your applications and emerge ahead
of the rest after rigorous evaluation means that you have the right
attitude for the role you are expected to play.
Indeed I am happy that this programme will offer a fresh cadre of
youth an opportunity to contribute towards improving service
delivery to Kenyan citizens. As evidenced by the Huduma Kenya
Programme, a dedicated workforce able to provide effective and
efficient public service is necessary to enable the Mwananchi to fully
benefit from the positive contribution of ICT.
Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen
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As I conclude, I wish to congratulate the 100 interns who have

completed and are shortly proceeding to work in various offices in
the public sector. I urge you to see this as more than just an
internship after which you will get papers and move on to better
things. This is chance for you to serve your country and give your
best for your brothers and sisters out there.
We are counting on you to revolutionalize service delivery. Familiarize
yourselves with Government systems, structures and procedure and
then see what options there are to digitize them. Most of our fellow
countrymen live in remote rural areas. You have the opportunity to
provide solutions that better their lives. We are encouraged by your
enthusiasm.
My Ministry will accord you all necessary support and collaboration.
Thank you.