Plans for the realisation of a digital superhighway and creative economy in Trans Nzoia County are on course.

This is evident following handover of the site for the construction of a modern digital centre of excellence to the contractor at Cherangany Sub County headquarters.

Addressing the press before overseeing the handover on Friday, Konza Technopolis Chief Manager Construction, Operations Management Engineer Antony Sang said that construction of the digital centre is among the steps the government is taking to fulfil the promise to create a Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy as envisaged in the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Eng Sang said that once completed, the project will among other things, empower businesses and communities in sectors like education, healthcare and agriculture through digital connectivity.

Meanwhile, he singled out cooperation from all stakeholders as an essential in driving the project to completion. He pointed out that the project will be done in phases and the first phase is expected to be completed in the 2024/2025 financial year at a cost of Ksh25 million ($192,900), adding that 49 other similar digital centres will be done across the country

After constructing and equipping the digital centres of excellence, Sang said, next step will be installation of digital hubs across all the wards in the country. To achieve this, the manager said the government will work closely with local leadership, and members of county assembly are expected to play a major role.

Director for Planning in the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Panuel Ondienga told journalists that there is need to involve leaders in the implementation of the project. He said that besides creation of jobs and achievement of a digital economy, the digital centre of excellence will among other things help realise tremendous achievements in the other four pillars of health, agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) and enhance revenue collection via the automation of VAT systems.

“Completion of digital centres of excellence across the country will mark a great milestone in the achievement of a digital superhighway. Since the multi-million project is expected to transform each and every sector, we call upon the involvement of all leaders, sectors and government departments to get involved. The multi-agency approach is crucial for the success of the entire exercise,” he rallied.

The contactor Timothy Makumi promised to ensure quality work is delivered within the specified timelines to allow the public get value for the invested funds. Makumi observed that cooperation of all stakeholders and the public at large will be key to the implementation of the project as he promised to heavily rely on local manpower.

Representing Cherangany Deputy County Commissioner, Assistant County Commissioner Peter Alany confirmed total cooperation and devotion of government departments and local administration towards the success of the project.

• A Tell / KNA report / By Isaiah Nayika

Caption: Konza Technopolis Chief Manager Construction, Operations Management Engineer Antony Sang (Right) presides over digital centre of excellence site handover to the contractor at Cherangany Sub County headquarters. The centre to be completed before the end of the 2024/2025 Financial Year is expected to cost Sh 25 million.