Communications Authority of Kenya’s (CAK), Director of Legal Services Mr. John Omo has been elected the new Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU). Mr. Omo was elected during the elections during the 5th Ordinary Session of the ATU Plenipotentiary conference held in Nairobi last week.
Kenya had fronted Mr. Omo to be elected to the position to battle with Burundi’s Mr. Constaque Hakizimana. The country was banking on its strong and vibrant ICT industry in the region as a launch pad for the leadership position.
‘‘I am very humbled, and at the same time, honored and privileged to be entrusted with such a great responsibility that comes with the position of Secretary General of this great Union,’’ Mr.Omo said.
He added that his work has been cut out and called on all member states to support him in his quest of rebuilding the ATU and positioning it as the sole united voice on mater of ICT on the continent.
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In achieving his new mandate, Mr. John Omo will be leveraging on the foundation already established by his predecessor Mr.Abdoulkarim Soumaila to ensure the continent reaps the massive benefits ICTs present for the region’s socio-economic development.
Speaking at the conference, ICT Cabinet Secretary Mr. Joe Mucheru said Kenya remains on the forefront in supporting the activities of the ATU. ‘‘We are humbled by the support you have given to us. We will continue to give support to ATU to see get the dividends of ICT on the continent. We will work together irrespective of how we voted,’’ he said.
Kenya is also seeking to be re-elected to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council, a key decision making organ of the UN specialized agency for ICTs. The elections will be held in November 2018 during the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference scheduled to be held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
At the ITU, Kenya is seeking to get one of the 13 slots reserved to the African continent out of the 48 seats of the Council. Kenya has been a member of the Council since 1982.
