ICT and E-Government

ICT and E-Government

MISOI JONATHAN went to Cheyakwai primary School. For his A levels he joined Kapsabet Boys High School and thereafter joined Moi University for his Bachelor Degree in Information Technology and graduated in 2006.

He pursued Masters in Computer Science in Computer Science and Specialized in Web Information Systems at the Vrije Universitet Beligium (VUB) -Brussels and graduated in 2012.

Misoi has worked in the ICT industry in various capacities both at Private and public organizations.

He joined Family Bank in 2008 as systems analyst, later moved to Kenya Revenue Authority, Eldoret Branch as Systems Analyst until 2009 when he joined Moi University ICT Directorate as a Senior Assistant Database Administrator.

Misoi rose through the ranks with notable positions as Webmaster, head of Information Systems and finally as the Lead Technical Supervisor with the government Digital Literacy Project where he oversaw distribution of Tablets to over 12,000 primary Schools in 26 Counties. He was part of the team that established the Moi University DLP Assembly Plant.

He has taught Computer Science at JKUAT and CUEA and has spoken in many technology forums.

Misoi Jonathan has attended many International Conferences and presented papers. He is an ITU Youth Fellow after representing Kenya in 2006. To top it all, he is an author of ICT Cake book, that helps motivate the youths to join the fast-moving path.

He sits in three boards of a primary School and Secondary Schools and is currently the President Elect of the Rotary Club of Eldoret Uasin Gishu.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) form the backbone of today’s digital economy and have enormous potential to fast forward progress on the SDGs and improve people’s lives in fundamental ways. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and associated targets will stimulate action until 2030 in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet. #Goal no 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation is the focal point of this proposal, however, narrowed to restructuring and amendments to align ICT & e-Government to the overall vision of the County: Transforming Nandi County. Vision 2030 on the other hand envisions a Kenya that will be interconnected and prospering to greater heights as a leader in technology adoption and innovation. Combining these two, we

need to look back with the benefit of hindsight on the first 5 Years since devolution started taking root in Kenya.

Technology is advancing rapidly, and those who position themselves to adopt change and strategize with the times will survive, others will be swept by the way side.

A visionary County therefore becomes its own harshest critic. As such, the drive for progress pushes from within for continual change and forward movement in ensuring service delivery to its citizenry and ICTs will be at the core of this transformation. ICTs can thus be said to be the driver of Devolution and needs more attention. It can be concluded that ICT& e-Government is the main artery and bloodline to all the other ministries and therefore a pulse to measure performance. We need to Embrace IT, Resource IT and Staff IT.

VISION

To be a Centre of excellence in ICT innovation and provision of quality ICT & e-Government services.

MISSION

To champion and advance the development of ICT and its use by key stakeholders for the socio-economic transition and development of Nandi County

GOALS

ICT & e-Government Department endeavors to:-

      1. Keep the County up to date in all ICT& e-Government matters
      2. Oversee the successful implementation of ICT policies, Standards, Guidelines, Strategic Plan and Procedures
      3. Ensure end user satisfaction through quality provision of ICT& e-Government services
      4. Ensure that ICT infrastructure is well maintained by instituting sound management and control mechanisms.
      5. Ensure effective and timely Communications County-wide.

CORE VALUES

      1. Embracing professionalism in the adoption, implementation and provision of ICT & e- Government Services.
      2. Fostering teamwork and tolerance to stimulate performance of all stakeholders
      3. Continuous service improvement to remain innovative, relevant and resourceful.
      4. Creating an open, free and consultative environment that promotes respect, discipline and commitment
      5. Promoting integrity, reliability and efficiency to ensure quality service delivery

The ICT & e-Government department need to redesign and restructure is informed by both the strategic and tactical levels of management. It aims to achieve the following objectives:

      • Alignment to new strategic directions of the County Strategic Plan as envisaged in CIDP
      • Solve problems resulting from structure inefficiencies as has been reported in the past
      • Eliminate job conflicts that currently bedevil the Department
      • Minimize errors and deficiency resulting from human behaviour
      • Clarify uncertainty regarding the hierarchy and distribution of work and responsibilities
      • Enable the ability of predicting results by minimizing the personal behavior options
      • Provide clear communication and reporting structure
      • Provide a clear career progression path for staff
      • Provide clear job description and duties for staff
      • Ensure service delivery is enhanced to ensure performance targets are achieved
      • Promote a well-motivated staff for effective retention strategy

The focus on functions is important because functions provide specialization and visibility to ICT & e-Government work. Unlike processes, they provide the how-to, and they span multiple functions, sections and ICT& e-Government staff members.

NO ITEM User Dept STATUS
1 Revenue Collection System Finance/Trade Ongoing
2 Hospital Management Information

System (HMIS)

Health on

Tenders

3 Asset and Inventory Management

System

Administration Planned
4 Fleet Management and Tracking

System and e-Calibration System

Infrastructure

and Roads

Planned
5 Workflow Management System Administration Proposed
6 Human Resource Management System/Access Management

System

Administration Proposed
7 Project Management System Public Service Proposed
8 Farmers and Cooperative

Management System

Agriculture/

Cooperatives

Proposed
9 AGPO Youth Portal Youth Proposed
10 Employment and Professional

Registry portal

Administration Proposed
11 Aggregated Web and Mobile

Portal

ICT & e-

Government

Proposed
12 Geographic Information System (GIS) and Land Registry

Management System

Lands Proposed
13 Network and Bandwidth

Management System

ICT & e-

Government

Proposed
14 Performance Management System Public Service Proposed
15 Access and Security Management

System

Administration Proposed
16 Electronic Document

Management System

Administration Proposed
17 PWDs Profiles System Tourism and

Culture

Proposed
18 Management of Email System ICT Ongoing
19 Technical Support of Website ICT Ongoing
20 Nandi County Central Information Portal (NCCIP) ICT Ongoing

Modern Roles of ICT Department in Organizations (Key Activities)

Information Technology (IT) has become a vital and integral part of every business plan. From multi-national corporations who maintain mainframe systems and databases to small businesses that own a single computer, IT plays a role. The reasons for the omnipresent use of computer technology in business can best be determined by looking at how it is being used across the business world.

Communication and PR

Jevvah Martin Kiplimo Ag. Director (Communication -Editorial and Production), Kipsaro Boit, Ag. Deputy Director (Public Relations -Branding and Marketing)

Functions and Roles of County Communication and PR 

 

  • Crisis Communication Management-deals with emergencies affecting the organization. They help establish policies for dealing with emergencies, such as who gets to communicate with the media, and how management shares information with employees.
  • Relationship management establishes strategies for building and maintaining relationships with important segments of the public such as customers and reporters.
  • Image management professionals work to present the company as socially responsible, compassionate and involved in the community.
  • Resource management looks at the budget and resources for the organization’s PR and figures out how to make the best use of it.
  • Develop County Communication strategy both for Internal and external use.
  • Manages all Communication channels- Print, TV, Online and other media.
  • Manages County Magazines, newsletters, website, Social Media and TV Content. Communication officers seconded to departments will help collect information from the source.
  • Manages County events and Branding.

Functions and Roles of this Directorate

Simion Chepkwony, Ag. Director

Network Management

  • Overseeing the network security
  • Evaluating the network performance to see whether it meets the organizational needs.
  • Ensuring compliance to rules by the network.
  • Maintaining the network and ensuring its operation is up to date.
  • Act as the first responder to infrastructure trouble‐tickets including :

(LAN/WAN/WLAN switching, network protocols, cabling, distance learning equipment, PC, server issues and telephony devices. )

  • Perform in‐depth troubleshooting, installation and maintenance on switches, routers, servers, wireless equipment, PCs, servers, universal power supplies and telephony equipment.
  • Administer enterprise monitoring software ensuring that all network systems are performing as expected.
  • Create documentation and maintain the enterprise repository of systems documentation.

Data Centre Management

County Data Center infrastructure Management (CDCIM) is the convergence of IT and building facilities functions within the County. The goal of a CDCIM initiative is to provide administrators with a holistic view of a data center’s performance so that energy, equipment and floor space are used as efficiently as possible. The roles include:

  • Prepare plans for development and installation of data center according to present and future requirements.
  • Monitor all software and hardware products and ensure compliance to Data Center standards and systems.
  • Administer installation and maintenance of organization data center.
  • Monitor all activities related to analysis and implement all data center plans.
  • Supervise designing and evaluation of all server systems according to measurement of process.
  • Perform troubleshoot on data center, identify issues and assist in timely resolution of same.
  • Manage and perform research to design new advanced data center.
  • Develop Data Centre Recovery Strategy and maintain off site backup systems.
  • Perform regular backups and keep records of all logs at the Data Centre
  • Prepare all Procurement Plans for the Data Centre.

Management Information Systems

  • Plans, organizes and directs activities of work units and staff involved in the design, development, operation and maintenance of computer operating systems and data processing functions; coordinates data processing and computer services activities with other sections and divisions as needed.
  • Consults with users to identify data processing requirements; directs assigned staff in the development of new applications, databases or systems operations; makes recommendations on the purchase of new equipment or software.
  • Reviews output, project reports, systems documentation, service requests, and other information to evaluate systems performance, systems operations, requirements for new applications, and other requirements; MIS staff  design and develop required systems or develop User requirements and technical specifications in case of off-the-shelve acquisition of software..
  • Reviews and evaluates technical literature and other information concerning changes in technology; participates in long-range planning to evaluate costs, availability, alternatives and other factors.
  • Maintains all the standards and procedures required for this section to function well.
  • Develop Procurement plans for this section and any relevant documentation.

e-Government Directorate

Frankline Limo, Ag. Director

Functions and Roles of Directorate

Electronic government (or e-government) essentially refers to “utilization of Information Technology (IT), Information and Communication Technologies (ICT s), and other web-based telecommunication technologies to improve and/or enhance on the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery in the public sector.

ICT Planning & Training

ICT Planning provides a Framework that defines strategic objectives and guiding principles for County  ICT  & e-Government Management.

The roles of this section are to:

  • Developing ICT Annual Work Plans and Sectoral Plans for ICT & e-Government.
  • Developing ICT Documents e.g. Policies, Strategic Plans, Procedures etc.
  • Developing Annual Budgets for ICT & e-Government.
  • Developing Annual Procurement Plans.
  • Developing Human Resource Plan for ICT & e-Government including performance management and appraisals.
  • Proposing new projects and writing Proposals.
  • Develop training requirements and specifications
  • Carry out training needs analysis across the County Departments;
  • Define the skill sets needed to perform different roles.
  • Carry out performance assessments to determine the skills gap between current and desirable learner ICT skill levels.
  • Design training programmes appropriate to the skills needed
  • Develop an appropriate mix of formal and informal development activities;
  • Ensure that the learning environment and resources support learner needs.
  • Design course materials and other documents such as handouts, manuals and exercises in conjunction with other ICT & e-Government Directorates.
  • Prepare the learning environment and resources, including setting up IT equipment where appropriate.
  • Deliver training programmes in formal (e.g. a classroom), informal (e.g. floor-walking) or online (e.g. e-learning and webinar) settings.
  • Support and coach learners using learning technologies to deliver skills;
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of training programmes and learning outcomes;
  • Create and Maintain Technical User Manuals and ensure its of high standards.
  • Liaise with partners (e.g. external course providers, employers, examining bodies) to fulfil the skills needs of County Government.
  • Develop peer networks to keep abreast of current thinking;
  • Maintain appropriate records of learner development and resource allocation.
  • Develop and Maintain Procurement Plans and Budgets for this section.

See amended Establishment for new positions and titles for this section.

 

ICT Services & Support Services

ICT Services are geared towards the following:

  • Government-to-citizenor government-to-consumer (G2C)- approaches such as setting up websites where citizens can download forms, government information, etc.
  • Government-to-business(G2B)- Government providing services online to Business Community e.g. Provision of Permits online
  • Government-to-government(G2G)- linking the County Government to National Government
  • Government-to-employees(G2E)- Providing services online to County employees e.g. Payslips online

The roles of this section are to:

  • Working with customers/employees to identify computer problems and advising on the solution.
  • Logging and keeping records of customer/employee queries
  • Analyzing call logs so to spot common trends and underlying problems
  • Updating self-help documents so customers/employees can try to fix problems themselves
  • Working with field engineers to visit customers/employees if the problem is more serious.
  • Testing and fixing faulty equipment
  • Maintain inventory of all ICT equipment’s.
  • Managing all Citizens Platforms online in Conjunction with Call Centre.
  • Carrying out surveys to establish new services that needs to be taken online.
  • Perform e-readiness survey as required by ICTA.

Governors Press Service (GPS)

Gideon Cise, Director & Brenda Kiprono, Deputy Director

Governor’s Press Service Department work involves developing and implementing the governor’s press communication strategy and serving as the point of contact for media seeking information about the governor and the governor’s programs.

 

GPS will the accountable as follows:

  • Report Directly to the Governor, or through County Secretary, Operation-wise and Expenditure-wise. The Budget will be domiciled in the executive.
  • Report Administratively to the Director of Communication and PR. This on matters reports, day to day activities, quarterly reports, staff appraisal etc.

Functions of GPS

  • Providing strong and effective management of the governor’s news to the media
  • Leading and developing standards and regulations in the Press unit
  • Overseeing drafting of governor’s speeches, press releases and talking notes
  • Planning and covering the governor’s activities and relay to electronic and print media.
  • Maintaining a database of news and information on the governor.
  • Any other duties that may be assigned by the governor.
  • To improve relationships by involving the Governor, top management and staff in internal and external communication
  • To maintain consistency of reports from the office of the Governor to the public through media

This also covers:

  • Internal communication
  • External communication
  • Media events (press conferences, press statements)
  • Handling media queries