Why I'm fit for the role at ICT and Digital Economy docket - William Kabogo

Information and Communication Cabinet Secretary nominee William Kabogo has outlined his qualifications for the role, highlighting his successful management of digitisation projects in Kiambu County.

Speaking during his vetting process on Tuesday, Kabogo explained that his experience in digitising the county’s systems makes him an ideal candidate for the position.

"I believe this is a good job for me as ICT and Digital Economy Minister," Kabogo said.

"While I was in Kiambu, I digitised the entire revenue collection system, which increased our annual revenues from Sh800 million to Sh2.7 billion in just 14 months. Additionally, I digitised the health systems, ensuring that doctors could seamlessly provide treatment across all our hospitals."

Kabogo further elaborated on his leadership experience, noting that he developed management information systems that allowed him to oversee the operations of all 10 ministries in Kiambu County.

"Through a dashboard, I could monitor exactly what was happening in each ministry. This experience gives me a head start, as my view of a minister’s role is that of a manager and a leader. I have gained significant management skills and put them into practice," he said.

Drawing on a philosophy shared by renowned management expert Peter Drucker, Kabogo emphasised the importance of "doing things right and doing the right things." He believes this combination is crucial to excelling in management roles.

"This will give me a good start in ICT and Digital Economy," he added.

Responding to concerns about his lack of a computer science background, Kabogo confidently shared his long-standing familiarity with technology.

"I started using computers in 1992 when they were green screens running on MS DOS language. I was familiar with commands like ‘do cd’ and ‘change directory,’ so I am well-versed in the technical aspects of ICT," he explained.

Kabogo’s political journey dates back several years, beginning with his education at St. George’s Ruiru Primary School and Thika Technical School, before earning a BCom degree from Punjab University in India.

His political career includes a range of milestones, such as his initial attempt to secure a KANU ticket in 2002 and his later success as the Member of Parliament for Juja, where he defeated incumbent Stephen Ndichu.

Despite a setback in 2007, Kabogo won the Kiambu gubernatorial seat in 2013 and served until 2017, when he lost re-election after failing to secure the Jubilee Party ticket.

In August 2021, Kabogo launched his political party, Tujibebe Wakenya, which later signed a cooperation agreement with Kenya Kwanza in April 2022.

His nomination to the Cabinet position of ICT and Digital Economy in 2024 marks the latest chapter in his career.