Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has shared insights from his meeting with former United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Tony Blair, highlighting the importance of accelerating the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into Kenya’s agricultural sector and primary education system.
In a post on his official X account on Thursday, October 10, 2024, Mudavadi emphasized the need to equip all of Kenya’s 23,000 primary schools with internet connectivity. He stressed that early exposure to technology is crucial for the country’s future growth and development.
Mudavadi spoke about the success of the government’s initiative to register farmers, which he said has revolutionized the delivery of essential farming inputs and significantly boosted food production.
“For a more rapid and impactful adoption of technology in agriculture, we must prioritize developing a curriculum for primary school students and ensure that all 23,000 primary schools nationwide are equipped with internet connectivity,” Mudavadi said in his statement.
During the meeting with Blair, Mudavadi also highlighted the critical role of ICT in agriculture and the transformative impact of the government’s efforts in registering farmers. He noted that this initiative has greatly improved access to essential inputs, leading to increased food production.
Mudavadi also underlined the importance of creating a tech-centric curriculum for primary school students. He believes that this would prepare the youth to embrace the growing role of technology in sectors such as agriculture, transport, security, and human rights. With 70% of Kenya’s population being young, he expressed confidence that the youthful demographic is well-positioned to leverage ICT for national development.
“With Kenya’s youthful population, comprising 70% of the total, I stressed that the integration of technology into key sectors such as agriculture, transport, security, and human rights is not only critical for development but also likely to be readily embraced,” he added.
Musalia Mudavadi also addressed the challenges associated with the rapid growth of technology, particularly the spread of misinformation and the misuse of digital platforms. While acknowledging the transformative potential of technology for Kenya, he emphasized the need for safeguards to prevent its harmful use.
In his statement, Mudavadi said, “However, I also noted the importance of responsible use of digital platforms, cautioning against the spread of misinformation and the misuse of technology as a tool for harm, a challenge we have witnessed both in Kenya and globally. This approach aims to balance technological advancement with safeguards for the public good, ensuring that innovation serves as a positive force for our country’s future.”
