Dr. Margret Nyambura Ndung’u has been nominated by President William Ruto to be Kenya's next Cabinet Secretary for ICT and Digital Innovation.
Her nomination comes as a significant development in the ongoing efforts to improve Kenya’s digital landscape.
Dr. Ndung’u’s appointment, if confirmed, promises a focus on making internet services more accessible and affordable, bridging the gender digital divide, and enhancing cybersecurity.
One of Dr. Ndung’u’s top priorities is to improve internet access and affordability throughout Kenya. She recognizes that both urban and rural areas face challenges when it comes to accessing the internet.
In her video interview, she highlighted that enhancing internet services is crucial for the country’s development.
The current digital divide means that many people, especially in rural regions, struggle to connect to the internet due to high costs and limited infrastructure.
Dr. Ndung’u aims to address these issues by working on policies and initiatives that will make the internet more accessible and affordable. This could involve collaborating with internet service providers to lower prices, expanding network coverage to underserved areas, and investing in infrastructure projects that support digital connectivity.
By improving internet access, she hopes to empower more people with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
Another key area of focus for Dr. Ndung’u is the gender digital divide. She acknowledges that women and girls often face additional barriers when it comes to accessing digital technologies and online resources. This divide can limit their opportunities in education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
To address this issue, Dr. Ndung’u plans to promote initiatives that support women and girls in the digital space. This might include programs aimed at increasing digital literacy among women, providing training and resources to help them navigate online platforms, and creating opportunities for women to participate in technology-related fields.
Dr. Ndung’u also emphasizes the importance of child online safety. As more aspects of daily life move online, protecting children from potential digital threats becomes increasingly important.
She has expressed a commitment to creating a safer online environment for young users. This involves implementing policies and measures that protect children from cyberbullying, online predators, and inappropriate content.
It may also include working with schools and parents to educate children about safe online practices and developing tools that help parents monitor and manage their children’s online activities.
In addition to these priorities, Dr. Ndung’u plans to tackle issues related to cybersecurity and data protection. As the digital landscape evolves, so do the threats to online security.
Cyberattacks, data breaches, and identity theft are growing concerns that can impact individuals, businesses, and government agencies.
Dr. Ndung’u’s approach to cybersecurity will involve strengthening existing measures and developing new strategies to protect digital assets and personal information.
This could include enhancing cybersecurity frameworks, promoting best practices for data protection, and ensuring that organizations adhere to strict security protocols.
Dr. Margret Nyambura Ndung’u brings extensive experience to her new role. With over 20 years of experience in research and project management, she has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the ICT sector.
Her career spans work with non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and academic institutions.
Dr. Ndung’u holds a PhD in Information Systems from the University of Nairobi, where her research focused on how new technologies improve the quality of life for low-income households in Kenya.
She also has an MBA in Management Science from the same institution and a Bachelor’s degree in Information Sciences from Moi University. Her postdoctoral work at Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa further demonstrates her commitment to advancing knowledge in the field.
In addition to her academic qualifications, Dr. Ndung’u has worked on various national and regional projects funded by organizations such as IDRC, the World Bank, NEPAD, and Vodafone. She has also consulted for the Kenya ICT Authority and is currently the lead Kenya Partner for Research ICT Africa, where she oversees research projects across the country.
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