President Mwai Kibaki has directed the Ministry of Information and Communications to immobilize all unregistered phone numbers so as to protect Kenyans from criminals.
President Kibaki said the action would wipe out all unregistered mobile lines being used to perpetrate criminal activities and thus safeguard the lives of wananchi from high-tech crimes.
The President was speaking today when he presided over the official opening of the Telkom Kenya-Orange 3G Network at the Laico Regency Hotel.
During the same occasion President Kibaki castigated increased vandalism of vital installations in the telecommunication sector which he termed a major setback to vital sector saying it was an impediment to the realization of the country’s development goals
He was, however, optimistic that recently enacted laws would safeguard telecommunications and electricity infrastructures installed for the benefit of both the consumer and service providers.
The Head of State emphasized that the government had enacted laws that provided for harsher sentences to eradicate vandalism of vital telecommunication and electric installations.
In order to develop Kenya into a knowledge driven economy, President Kibaki directed the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology to team up with other line ministries to convert at least two public universities into institutes of technology.
He said this was important in order to create requisite capacity to move the country to greater heights.
President Kibaki said, “In the last few years my government in partnership with the private sector has realized major milestones towards the achievement of a Knowledge Based economy.”
The Head of State stressed that the institutes would focus on research in science and technology and strive to produce competent graduates who can sustain the economy in the future
He remarked, “We must all work together to develop home grown capacity in these new technologies. In this regard, I urge mobile operators to work with the Government and the Universities to realize the human capacity we need for our twenty thirty vision on technology. It is anticipated that the technology we are launching today, will make it easier for the said institutions of learning to access the required data and information at any location any time.”
During the occasion, he affirmed that the government was also promoting knowledge based industries covering both high and medium technology industries
These include Business Process Outsourcing, Computer/Electronic hardware manufacturing, Software Development, Information and Broadcasting,Filmingand Digital content development, Communication and financial services among others.
“The aim is to increase our service sector contribution to GDP to more than 30 per cent by the year twenty thirty. The growth of these sub-sectors holds much promise for job creation for our youthful population that has proved extremely competent in the area of ICT,” President Kibaki remarked.
Commending Telkom Kenya for positioning themselves as major data services player in the country, President Kibaki asserted that the government recognized the important role that access to knowledge, information and communication had in the development of any country.
Said the President, “Telkom Kenya becomes the second mobile service provider to launch its 3G network in the country. We congratulate Telkom Kenya for making such a bold stride in the ever dynamic field of Information, Communications Technology.”
The Head of State noted, “Last July, I launched the Open Data Portal to further give the on-going reforms the necessary impetus to make core Government development data and information available to the general public. Mobile telephony will indeed enhance access to this Open Data Portal.”
During the occasion he expressed delight at the increased number of internet subscribers in Kenya rising from 3 million users in 2009 to over 11 million subscribers to date of whom 64 per cent use their mobile phones.
Terming the launch of the fast and reliable network by the company timely so as to serve the many users efficiently, the President said the new technology would boost internet penetration as well lay a firm basis for employment creation.
SOURCE: STATE HOUSE KENYA
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