Jessy Maruti Sets Out ICT Authority Plan for a More Connected Government
New ICT Authority chief Jessy Maruti lays out how integrated digital services could reduce delays and cut costs across government
Kenya’s push to streamline public services through technology is entering a new phase, with Jessy Maruti outlining a plan to connect systems, expand broadband access, and tighten cybersecurity across government.
The newly appointed head of the ICT Authority says the immediate goal is to reduce service delays and make state platforms easier for citizens and businesses to use.
Maruti frames the next phase as a shift from isolated digital projects to a unified system where data moves across institutions without repetition. That approach, he says, is expected to shorten processing times and cut administrative costs tied to manual workflows.
“Technology transformation is not just about systems, it is about governance, execution and trust,” he said, pointing to institutional discipline and accountability as core to delivery.
Focus on Access, Integration and Security
The agency’s priorities centre on four areas. Broadband rollout remains first, with an emphasis on connecting underserved regions and public institutions. The second is integrating government platforms to remove duplication in how citizens submit information. Third is strengthening system security and data management frameworks. The fourth is enforcing standards so different government systems can operate together.
The emphasis on interoperability reflects longstanding fragmentation across public platforms, where services often operate in silos. By linking them, the authority expects to reduce repetitive processes and improve oversight through shared data systems.
Economic Link to Digital Infrastructure
The strategy ties directly to economic activity. Maruti argues that digitised services lower compliance burdens for businesses, allowing more time for production and growth. Expanded connectivity is also expected to widen access to online work and digital markets, particularly for young people and small enterprises.
In practical terms, the administration is positioning ICT infrastructure as a productivity tool rather than a standalone sector. Integrated systems, he notes, can improve decision-making speed by enabling real-time data access across agencies.
Reducing Bureaucracy Through System Design
Part of the plan involves redesigning how services are delivered rather than simply digitising existing processes. Automated approvals and simplified workflows are expected to replace manual steps that slow service delivery.
Digital platforms also introduce traceability. Transactions leave audit trails, making it easier to monitor performance and limit leakages within institutions. That visibility is central to improving accountability in public service delivery.
Expanding Reach Through Partnerships
The government is leaning on private sector participation to accelerate infrastructure rollout. Under this model, policy and standards remain with the state, while investment and technical deployment are shared with industry players. The arrangement is intended to speed up expansion while maintaining regulatory oversight.
Innovation hubs and startups are also positioned as contributors to service delivery, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, health and financial technology. The authority views these firms as practical sources of solutions that can scale within public systems.
Security and Trust as System Foundations
As more services move online, cybersecurity is becoming a central concern. The authority is increasing focus on both technical safeguards and user awareness within government institutions. Training public officers to manage risks is part of that effort.
Maruti links system security directly to public trust, arguing that confidence in digital platforms determines how widely they are used. Stronger protections are therefore seen as a prerequisite for sustained adoption.
Outlook
The broader objective is to align digital infrastructure with national development plans, including Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and Vision 2030. The outcome, if executed as planned, is a government system that operates as a single digital network rather than a collection of separate services.
For citizens, the expected change is practical: fewer steps, less repetition, and faster access to public services.
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