KENYANS URGED TO EMBRACE ICT

Kenyans have been challenged to embrace technology as an enabler to foster development in the new dispensation of county government.

The chairperson of Kenya ICT consumers association Alex Gakuru, noted that access to Ict facility seems to increase particularly to the middle income people.

“Over the less that 10 years ago, research indicate that many people used internet in their offices but now it can be accessed through mobile phone.” He noted.

According to an ict research 2010 report, ICT facilities increase with age and peaks at the age between 20 to 39 years and decline as the age advances.

Speaking during a workshop on ICT, Gakuru noted that men had a bigger proportion in ICT equipment use than female adding that persons with higher education have more access to internet that those in primary.

“About 60 percent of persons with higher education have access to computers and internet, with 4.9 to2.8 percent of persons with pre-primary and primary education has access to computers.” Noted the ICT consumer chair.

However Gakuru, warned Kenyans against use of internet and other ICT gadgets to spread heat messages saying there cannot escape.

According to him, all internet users is known by what he said was a mark address that can be used to indicate the location, time connected and even the data downloaded.

Alex Gakuru during an ICT Media training workshop

Speaking separately, Jimmy Gitonga, IHub, manager stressed on the need to use technology in finding for solutions of problems affecting the nation.

“It’s high time we focus what we are going to come up with innovative ways of finding solution rather than pleading to the government on what to for us. Let’s incorporate our ideas and develop them”  advised Gitonga

According to the national  ICT plan, the ICT Industry should be contributing an estimated USD 2 billion (25% of GDP), created 500 ICT companies, and brought in 50,000 jobs by 2017 with  impact expected to be felt by SME’s.

According to the projection priorities identified include Health and Education for their chance in reducing costs, increasing value to society and enhancing citizen experience. They were followed closely by Agriculture and Retail/Wholesale trade.