Building the institution behind Kenya's digital economy
A State Corporation under the Ministry of ICT — our mandate spans standards enforcement, national infrastructure, e-Government and digital skills.
Our purpose
Vision, mission & mandate
Established in August 2013 as a State Corporation under the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology, the ICT Authority exists to make Kenya's digital ambitions real.
Vision
A digitally empowered society.
Mission
To digitally empower society through the provision of quality ICT services, implementation of industry best practices, and by leveraging technology to create new opportunities.
Mandate
Set and enforce ICT standards for public-sector entities, promote e-Government services and digital literacy, establish secure national ICT infrastructure, oversee critical ICT projects, and supervise electronic communications.
Established August 2013
Merger of KICTB, e-Government and GDC directorates
Our story
From three mandates to one digital authority
The ICT Authority was formed by merging the Kenya ICT Board, the Government IT Services department and the Directorate of e-Government, bringing infrastructure, innovation and public service delivery under a single roof. Since then, the Authority has rolled out the National Optic Fibre Backbone, built the Government Common Core Network, issued over a million learner devices and laid the policy groundwork for Kenya's National Digital Masterplan 2022–2032.
Innovation
Fostering creativity and continuous learning within the organisation.
Citizen-Focus
Prioritising stakeholder needs and maintaining responsive service delivery.
Transparency
Maintaining integrity and openness in all our operations.
Agility
Adapting swiftly to digital landscape changes while preserving organisational identity.
Milestones
Our journey so far
A decade-plus of building the rails Kenya's digital economy runs on.
2013
ICT Authority established
Created by merger of the Kenya ICT Board, Government IT Services and the e-Government directorate into a single State Corporation.
FY24/25
Foundation & mobilisation
Secure financing, finalise programme designs, and begin KDEAP and NOFBI phase 3 rollout.
2016
National Optic Fibre Backbone expansion
Phase 2 connectivity extended to county headquarters, cutting the cost of internet access nationally.
FY25/26
Scale-up
Expand connectivity to underserved counties, accelerate e-government migrations, and launch new accreditation services.
2021
National Public Key Infrastructure operationalised
ICTA activated its role as Government Certification Agency, enabling trusted digital signatures and secure e-transactions across government.
FY26/27
Consolidation & review
Complete priority infrastructure targets, evaluate outcomes, and develop the successor strategic plan.
2022
Kenya National Digital Master Plan signed
A ten-year blueprint (2022–2032) built on four pillars: infrastructure, government & data, skills, and innovation & enterprise.
2024
Strategic Plan 2024–2027 & KDEAP launched
The 5th Strategic Plan was launched jointly with the Communications Authority, alongside the World Bank-backed Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project.
2025
Regional connectivity goes live
The Dar-es-Salaam–Mombasa Terrestrial Fibre Link at the Lunga Lunga/Horohoro border and the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project extend Kenya's digital reach across East Africa.
Legal mandate
What we are required to do
Functions assigned under the ICT Authority Order, exercised on behalf of the national government.
01
Enforce ICT standards
Setting and enforcing standards for ICT systems, infrastructure and services across all government entities.
02
Build & maintain infrastructure
Establishing secure, reliable national ICT infrastructure including the fibre backbone and government data centres.
03
Champion e-Government
Coordinating the rollout of digital government services so citizens can transact with the state online.
04
Promote ICT literacy
Driving national digital skills and innovation programmes that grow a competitive, inclusive digital economy.
Governance
Leadership
The Authority is governed by a Board of Directors and run day-to-day by a management team organised around our four strategic pillars.
Hon Lily C. Ng'ok
Chair
Immediate Former Deputy Governor of Kericho County and County Minister for Education. Seasoned educationist who served as Dean of Students and lecturer at Kisii University. Holds a Master's in Arts from Northwestern University, USA and a Bachelor's in Arts (Education) from Egerton University, and is pursuing a PhD. Active community leader and supporter of vulnerable women and students.
Office of the CEO
Chief Executive Officer
Provides overall strategic direction and represents the Authority before the Board, government and development partners.
Thomas O. Odhiambo, OGW
Ag. Director, Programmes & Standards · Deputy Director, PMO
25+ years in industry. Architect of pioneering Kenyan government systems — first government website, biometric border control (PISCES), the Permits and Passports Information Systems, and the Integrated Population Registration System. MSc (Hertfordshire) and MBA (UoN). Awarded the Order of the Golden Warrior (OGW) in 2021.
Jessy Maruti Kiveu
Chief Executive Officer
Appointed CEO of the ICT Authority on 16 February 2026. Digital-transformation leader with 18+ years shaping ICT policy and national digital infrastructure. Previously Head of Public Sector at Telkom Kenya. Holds an MSc in ICT Policy and Regulation and a BSc in Telecommunications and Information Technology; currently pursuing a PhD in Business Innovation and Technology Management.
Eng. John Tanui, CBS
PS, State Department for ICT & the Digital Economy
Represents the parent Ministry on the Board, aligning the Authority's programmes with national digital policy and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda pillar on the Digital & Creative Economy.
e-Government & Digital Services
Director, Digital Services
Oversees digital government platforms, the National PKI, cybersecurity and supplier accreditation standards.
Irode Philip
Deputy Director, Information Security (Cybersecurity)
IT security specialist with 13+ years in cybersecurity, forensics and risk management. Heads cybersecurity for 345+ government MCDAs — securing GCCN, government data centres, applications and the NOFBI core fibre network. MSc Distributed Computing (UoN); certifications include CGEIT, CISM, CISA, CRISC, ITIL v3, CBCI and CDPSE.
Michael O. Odhiambo
Director, Shared Services
Heads the Shared Services Directorate, providing technical functions for government enterprise infrastructure, software and information security across MCDAs. Oversaw operationalisation of the Network Operations Centre (NOC), the One Government Network (OGN), the National Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI) and the public WiFi project. MBA Strategic Management (UoN); BSc Information Systems (USIU). 23+ years' experience.
Corporate Services
Director, Corporate Services
Runs finance, human capital, procurement and partnerships that keep Authority programmes funded and staffed.
Sostanis O. Otieno
Deputy Director, Supply Chain Management
Heads the Supply Chain Management department, overseeing the Authority's procurement function in line with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.
Thomas Bwaley
Director, Programmes & Standards
Appointed January 2024. Previously managed Safaricom's International Wholesale business. Brings 14+ years of telco, carrier-relations, core-network and project-delivery expertise. Leads implementation of the Digital Super Highway in line with the Digital Economy Pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Agenda. MBA in Strategic Management and BSc Electrical & Electronics Engineering, both from the University of Nairobi.
Emmanuel Kata Kimeu
Representative to PS, ICT
Secretary, ICT – Security and Audit Control at the State Department of ICT and Digital Economy. CISA-certified with over 18 years of ICT experience across East & Central Africa. Holds an MCA from Shivaji University, India and a BA in Economics, Sociology and Community Development from Agra University.
CPA Richard Koech
Director, Corporate Services
Appointed September 2023. Certified Public Accountant of Kenya and Certified Public Finance Management Accountant. MBA and BCom (Accounting) from the University of Nairobi. 17 years in public-finance management. Previously Clerk to the Baringo County Assembly and Chief Officer for Finance & Economic Planning in Baringo and West Pokot counties.
Kevin S. Atibu
Deputy Director, Innovation & Incubation
Heads crowd-sourcing and incubation of viable ICT ideas and start-ups. Previously Technical Services Lead at Kenya Bankers Association where he led design of Pesalink — East Africa's first inter-bank payment switch. 16+ years' experience. MSc Project Management (UoN); BBA MIS (Daystar); PRINCE 2 certified.
ICT Infrastructure
Director, Infrastructure
Leads delivery of NOFBI, data centres, the Government Common Core Network and county connectivity rollouts.
Benard Leitich
Representative to PS, Lands
Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Notary Public and Commissioner for Oaths with close to 20 years post-admission experience in land administration and policy. Currently Deputy Chief Land Registrar at the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning. LLB from Moi University; Postgraduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law.
Oliver M. Pyoko
Deputy Director, Finance & Accounting
Leads day-to-day financial accounting, reporting and treasury operations of the Authority.
Edna Atisa
Representative to PS, The National Treasury
Economist with vast experience in economic policy and formulation. Appointed to the Board as alternate to the Principal Secretary, National Treasury on 30 April 2022. Holds a Master's in Economics, BA in Economics and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Nairobi.
Savio Wambugu
Director
Software engineer with over a decade of experience driving technological innovation. President of the Association of Countrywide Innovation Hubs (ACIH) — 156+ hubs across Kenya. Founder of Mt Kenya Innovation Hub, co-founder of Mkulima Bora, and recipient of the Global Emerging Leaders Award (2022).
Patrick Masika
Deputy Director, Internal Audit
18 years in internal audit across the National Treasury, National Housing Corporation, Railway Training Institute, Kenya Accreditation Service and ICTA. CPA-K, Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Enterprise Risk Management Professional. Master's in Finance (UoN); BCom Accounting (Kenyatta University).
Christopher Naicca
Director
Registered Architect, Chartered Architect with the Royal Institute of British Architects and member of the Architectural Association of Kenya. Chairman of the Nairobi City County Urban Planning Technical Committee. Founder of Design Source Architects and Kiota School. 19+ years' experience across public and private sectors.
Paul MakAbongo
Head of ICT Unit
Heads the Authority's internal ICT Unit — responsible for the corporate technology platforms, network and end-user computing that keep ICTA's own teams productive.
Leah Manyarkiy
Director
Distinguished lawyer and leader with over 28 years' service in the legal profession and public life. Advocate of the High Court of Kenya since 1996 and Managing Partner at Manyarkiy & Manyarkiy Advocates LLP. Certified mediator. LLB from the University of Nairobi; Postgraduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law.
John Karanja
Representative, Inspectorate of State Corporations
Represents the Inspectorate of State Corporations on the Board, providing perspectives on governance, oversight and inter-agency coordination across Kenya's state corporation ecosystem.
Simon Sudi Ayomo
Director
Doctoral research fellow at Brunel University, UK. MSc (with Merit) in Human Resources and Employment Relations from Brunel University and Executive MBA from Moi University. Brings HR, project management and consultancy expertise to the Board.
Jessy Maruti Kiveu
Chief Executive Officer · Board Secretary
Appointed CEO of the ICT Authority on 16 February 2026. Digital-transformation leader with 18+ years shaping ICT policy and national digital infrastructure; previously Head of Public Sector at Telkom Kenya. MSc in ICT Policy and Regulation; BSc in Telecommunications and Information Technology; currently pursuing a PhD in Business Innovation and Technology Management.
Want the full picture?
Read our Strategic Plan 2024–2027 or get in touch with our partnerships team.