ICT and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo has stirred conversation by asserting that technical expertise is not a prerequisite for running the critical ICT docket. In an interview with Capital FM, the former Kiambu Governor emphasized that leadership, not technological prowess, is what the Ministry needs most.
“To run a hospital, you don’t need to be a surgeon,” Kabogo said. “If you keep up with the times, you should keep up with ICT things.” He pointed to his experience as Governor and Juja MP as evidence of his leadership capabilities, arguing that these credentials earned him the trust of President William Ruto.
Kabogo revealed that upon assuming office, he encountered a demoralized and sluggish Ministry riddled with inefficiencies. “Some agencies couldn’t even account for how many employees they have. Records were disorganized with payrolls scattered across departments,” he noted. In response, he ordered the implementation of biometric systems changes that took six weeks to materialize but have already begun to bring improvement.
The CS is on a mission to modernize the Ministry, declaring that it officially went paperless as of April 7, 2025. “I want to be the one who made the government digital,” Kabogo stated, acknowledging the internal resistance he has faced due to entrenched bureaucratic practices.
As part of broader reforms, Kabogo plans to launch a public digital platform where Kenyans can engage directly with government officials. The portal would include scheduled sessions where ministers spend two hours conversing with citizens online.
He believes such initiatives are essential for restoring public trust. “We should allow Kenyans to express themselves,” Kabogo said, referencing a recent online wave of ridicule that mocked his supposed lack of tech savviness. He took the criticism in stride, admitting that he was unfamiliar with internet memes at the time.
Despite public skepticism, Kabogo remains firm in his belief that his leadership is exactly what the Ministry needs to drive Kenya’s digital transformation forward.
