CS Kabogo urges Senate to shield ICT Ministry from budget cuts

GALGALLO FAYO AND EVALYNE GITHINJI (PCO) 

The Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy (MICDE) has been allocated less than half of its financial requirement for the 2025/2026 financial year, a shortfall that will negatively impact the implementation of key projects.

Speaking before the Standing Committee on Information, Communication, and Technology, MICDE Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo Gitau stated that without adequate funding, the implementation of crucial government projects could be delayed.

The CS was responding to the Senate committee’s inquiries regarding the funding gaps facing the ministry. “There is a need to enhance the ministry’s budget allocation to reduce financing gaps.

This will help shorten the implementation period of projects,” he said. He urged the committee to ring-fence the ministry’s budget and consider the financial shortfalls presented to ensure the timely implementation of planned programs.

CS Kabogo, who was accompanied by Principal Secretaries Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani (Broadcasting and Telecommunications) and Eng. John Tanui (ICT and Digital Economy), noted that the restructuring of the state broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), and the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK), along with connectivity programs, is on course.

However, funding cuts could potentially delay their implementation. The committee was informed that the ministry has been allocated Sh28 billion for the next financial year, significantly less than the Sh72 billion requested, leaving a deficit of Sh44 billion that is likely to impact planned projects.

However, the CS said the ministry is engaging with the National Treasury to ensure funding for key programs is not affected. He briefed the committee on the ministry’s priorities, which include: Providing 25,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots, establishing broadband connectivity and equipment in 1,450 hubs, facilitating training for youth to secure online jobs, laying 100,000 kilometers of fiber.

Additionally, the ministry is keen on revamping the Kenya News Agency (KNA), rolling out broadcasting and telecommunications infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas, promoting mass media skills development through the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC), and establishing digital content production centers under the Media Council of Kenya (MCK).

He also highlighted efforts to ensure the sustainability of free public Wi-Fi hotspots, with plans to involve the public in their management.

In his remarks, PS Tanui emphasized the government’s plan to lay 100,000 kilometers of fiber to support digital hubs and enhance private-sector network coverage.