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ICT and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary, Eliud Owalo, presided over the official opening of the 3rd Regional Research Conference at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) on Wednesday. The event marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide in land administration.
During his keynote address, CS Owalo emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving digital transformation in land governance. He highlighted the Ministry of ICT’s eagerness to collaborate with the National Land Commission (NLC) on a groundbreaking initiative: a large-scale digital skills sensitization program aimed at revolutionizing land governance and resource management.
“The partnership between the Ministry of ICT and the National Land Commission could mark a significant step towards bridging the digital divide in land administration,” Owalo stated. “Our goal is to harness digital technology to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in land governance.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the NLC, CHRP Kabale Tache Arero, underscored the significance of the conference in her opening remarks. “The Conference is poised to showcase prominent researchers in the realms of land governance, data, and innovation. These experts will present their findings from completed research projects and share their expert knowledge with a broad audience,” she said. “Data, innovation, and technology are keys to modernizing land governance. Our conference theme reflects the urgent need for adaptive strategies in a rapidly changing world.”
Prof. Dickson Andala, CEO of the National Research Fund (NRF), also addressed the attendees. Representing CS Education Ezekiel Machogu, Prof. Andala highlighted the NRF’s role in facilitating research across various key thematic areas as outlined in Kenya’s Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) Act of 2013.
“NRF facilitates research through key thematic areas based on Kenya’s existing frameworks,” noted Prof. Andala. “These include Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, Biological and Health Sciences, Physical, Industrial and Energy Sciences, Infrastructure, Information and Communication Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Earth and Space Sciences.”
The conference serves as a platform for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to converge and discuss innovative approaches to land governance and resource management. The event aims to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, ultimately contributing to the modernization and digital transformation of land administration in Kenya.
