President William Ruto Friday said the government will pursue a data protection regime that serves the public interest.
He said this will be achieved by ensuring that there is sufficient information for the effective and efficient delivery of services.
However, this will be pursued without compromising private data.
“But we must also ensure that criminals do not hide under data protection or exploit it to perpetuate crime,” he said.
Ruto was speaking on Friday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre during the observation of International Data Privacy Day.
He also officially launched the Data Protection Registration system.
For Kenya to realize the maximum potential of the Digital Superhighway, he explained, we must have a clear data management plan that is promotive of our agenda for the digital economy.
The government, he added, will partner with stakeholders to expand the space for creativity and innovation.
“It is our intention to ensure that Kenya reaps its overdue dividends from the heavy investment in ICT infrastructure made over the last two decades.”
He noted that over the next five years, the government will construct more than 100,000 kilometers of a national fiber-optic network.
This, he added, will help achieve universal broadband connectivity in the country to enhance Government service delivery.
“We are developing the Digital Master Plan and establishing a regional hub to promote the large-scale development of software for export.”
He promised to support the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner to acquire the requisite capacity to effectively perform its functions.
“Our commitment to competitiveness, innovation, digitization, automation and the digital economy requires a credible and legitimate facilitator to anchor investor confidence.”
