Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has challenged records and ICT officers to take center stage in steering Kenya’s transition toward a fully digital government through efficient information and records management.
Speaking at the opening of the 9th Annual Conference of the Kenya Association of Records Managers and Archivists (KARMA) in Mombasa, Koskei said the country’s vision for a “smart government” hinges on how effectively public institutions manage and secure information.
“The era of manual records is over,” he said. “We must close the gap between our digital systems and information governance if we are to achieve a responsive, technology-driven government.”
Held under the theme “Unlocking Smart Government,” the conference brought together experts from across the public sector to discuss how innovations in records and data management can enhance service delivery and accountability.
Koskei outlined the government’s progress in digitizing operations, noting that over 22,000 public services have now been integrated into the eCitizen platform. He also cited the recent launch of an Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS) within his office, alongside the rollout of national fiber-optic and cloud infrastructure to boost digital capacity.
He said these milestones align with key national policies—including the Kenya National Digital Master Plan (2022–2032), the ICT Strategic Plan (2023–2027), the Kenya Cloud Policy (2025), and the upcoming National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025–2030)—which collectively form the foundation of Kenya’s digital agenda.
Koskei urged public servants to embrace a new governance mindset grounded in simplicity, responsiveness, and data-driven decisions, arguing that accurate and reliable records are essential for effective policymaking.
“We are building a government that listens, learns, and leads with data,” he said. “Records officers must see themselves not as clerks, but as strategic enablers of transformation.”
He described records managers as the “custodians of trust and engineers of integrity,” calling on them to enhance their expertise in cybersecurity, data governance, and digital preservation while ensuring compliance with emerging recordkeeping standards.
To support this shift, Koskei announced several initiatives — including the creation of a scheme of service for records professionals, partnerships with the Kenya School of Government and UNDP, and the training of over 10,000 public officers in digital and information management skills.
The conference was attended by senior government officials, among them Dr. Naftal Chweya, Director of Records Management at the State Department for Culture and Heritage, and Dr. Cleophas Ambira, Chairperson of KARMA.
Koskei concluded by urging records officers to step out of the background and become active champions of Kenya’s digital governance revolution.
