On Friday, President William Ruto of Kenya spoke at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre during the observance of International Data Privacy Day. During his speech, he emphasized the importance of a data protection regime that serves the public interest while also ensuring that private data is not compromised.
President Ruto acknowledged the need to ensure that criminals do not exploit data protection to perpetuate crime. He also officially launched the Data Protection Registration system, which will be used to manage and protect personal data in Kenya.
The President emphasized the need for a clear data management plan that promotes Kenya’s agenda for the digital economy. He stated that the government will partner with stakeholders to expand the space for creativity and innovation, with the goal of reaping the dividends of the heavy investment in ICT infrastructure made over the last two decades.
To achieve this, President Ruto announced that over the next five years, the government will construct more than 100,000 kilometers of national fiber-optic network. This will help achieve universal broadband connectivity in the country, enhancing government service delivery.
In addition to constructing the national fiber-optic network, the government is also developing a Digital Master Plan and establishing a regional hub to promote the large-scale development of software for export. President Ruto also promised to support the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner to acquire the necessary capacity to effectively perform its functions.
President Ruto emphasized the importance of a credible and legitimate data protection system in order to anchor investor confidence and support the government’s commitment to competitiveness, innovation, digitization, automation, and the digital economy
