Digital competition initiative spearheaded by ICT Authority and local authorities to enhance digital administration across Kenya
The Devolution Conference 2025, held at Tom Mboya University from August 12 to 15, 2025, marked a significant milestone in Kenya's journey towards digital transformation and devolved governance. This four-day event, part of the #DevolutionConference2025, was the first of its kind in relation to digital technology and devolution in Kenya.
The conference, aimed at developing digital solutions, served as a kickoff to the main event, bringing together more than 100 young Kenyan coders to participate in a 48-hour coding challenge. The event was the first step in the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project's (KDEAP) mission to build innovation ecosystems across all counties.
The KDEAP, supported by the ICT Authority, aims to enhance digital skills, strengthen digital infrastructure, and foster innovation ecosystems as catalysts to improve governance, service delivery, and socio-economic equity under the devolved system. The project's focus on youth participation and empowering young developers aligns with the conference's goal of fostering innovation and accelerating economic growth locally.
Several dignitaries attended the event, including Eng. John Tanui, Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, and Mary Mwiti, who highlighted the transformative role of technology and partnerships in effective devolution and service delivery. The conference showcased digital innovations from various counties, such as Murang’a County's digital Health Information Management System, Nandi County's digital system, Tibabu, in primary healthcare facilities, and Makueni County's Integrated County Revenue Management System (ICRMS), a mobile-first platform integrating digital payments to improve revenue collection and reduce leakages.
The Devolution Conference 2025 emphasized the importance of investing in digital skills and youth participation, with pre-conference activities focusing on youth engagement and inclusion to build capacity and innovation within counties. The event underscored the potential of technology for civic engagement and enhancing public participation in governance.
In conclusion, the Devolution Conference 2025 served as a platform for Kenyan counties to leverage digital infrastructure, enhance digital skills, and foster innovation ecosystems as catalysts to improve governance, service delivery, and socio-economic equity under the devolved system. The event's focus on empowering young developers and fostering innovation ecosystems sets the stage for a digital revolution in Kenya.
[1] Devolution Conference 2025: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Under the Devolved System [2] Youth Engagement and Inclusion in the Devolution Conference 2025 [3] Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP) [4] Devolution Conference 2025: Showcasing Digital Innovations Across Counties
[1] The Devolution Conference 2025 aimed to foster innovation and accelerate economic growth locally by investing in digital skills, youth participation, and digital infrastructure with a focus on social justice and equity under the devolved system.
[2] The Devolution Conference 2025 emphasized the importance of pre-conference activities, such as youth engagement and inclusion, to build capacity and innovation within counties and encourage civic engagement in governance.
[3] The Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP), supported by the ICT Authority, seeks to build innovation ecosystems across all counties, empower young developers, and strengthen digital infrastructure to improve governance, service delivery, and socio-economic equity under the devolved system.
[4] At the Devolution Conference 2025, various digital innovations from Kenyan counties were showcased, thereby demonstrating how these cutting-edge technologies can be leveraged to enhance service delivery, governance, and economic growth.
