Kenya is stepping up efforts to future-proof its public service through digital transformation, as the Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, paid a courtesy call on his counterpart in the Public Service and Human Capital Development docket, Dr. Jane Kere Imbunya.
At the heart of their meeting was the operationalization of the Regional Centre of Competence for Digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Skilling in the Public Service a landmark initiative hosted at the Kenya School of Government.
Backed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Centre is poised to serve as a strategic platform for equipping public servants with cutting-edge digital and AI skills. The goal is to enhance government efficiency and drive citizen-centric service delivery in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
“This Centre will be pivotal in building the technical capacity of our workforce to harness AI and emerging technologies for better governance,” said Eng. Tanui. “It’s not just about technology; it’s about transforming how government works for the people.”
Dr. Imbunya emphasized the urgency of finalizing operational and implementation frameworks to ensure a timely rollout. “The faster we get this Centre fully functional, the quicker we can realize its impact across ministries, departments, and agencies,” she noted.
Beyond domestic goals, the Centre is also seen as a lever for Kenya’s digital diplomacy — positioning the country as a regional leader in innovation and a hub for cooperation in AI and emerging tech.
The joint commitment by the two Principal Secretaries signals a clear push by the Kenyan government to embed digital skills at the core of public service reform, ensuring the workforce is equipped for a data-driven, AI-powered future.
