Gedion Murimi is a graduate from Maseno University where he specialized on development and implementation of I.C.T systems. Currently, he is an I.C.T officer in the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Ministry of Health-Kenya. The African Executive caught up with him and he commented about e-government: a strategy that the Kenyan government is trying to enforce.

A.E: What is the Pharmacy and Poisons Board?

Gedion: It is a drug regulatory authority that ensures the quality, efficacy and safety of medicines supplied to the people of Kenya.

A.E: How does it achieve this?

Gedion: It ensures that all Drugs, Pharmaceutical Professionals (Registered Pharmacists and Enrolled Pharmaceutical Technologists), Drug Delivery Points and Drug Manufacturing Companies are registered and meet the required standards. The Pharmacy and Poisons Board also conducts post market surveillance.

A.E: How does the ICT department come in?

Gedion: The I.C.T department was actually formed in February this year. Before, I.C.T related activities were managed individually by each department such that the Drug Registration Department, Trade Affairs Department, Training and Assessment Department, Drug Inspectorate, G.M.P (Good Manufacturing Practices) Department, Medicines Information, Legal Affairs and Pharmacovigilance Department among others each operated on its own. This made transfer and access of information quite difficult as it was done manually. One had to wait for the person in charge to get the required information, or look for the file manually.

To avoid this, an I.C.T Department was formed which developed  a central repository and a customized interface to link the users to the repository. We also designed a server system that would enable the board to embrace and implement the e-governmence strategy. Today, we have a seamless link between the various departments and once the strategy is fully implemented, the entire system shall be automated.

A.E: Tell us more about the e-governance strategy

Gedion: This is a strategy that is being implemented to have the government deliver services efficiently. This strategy will lead to accountability, flexibility and faster delivery of services. If one wanted to make some changes in some forms, for example, many signatories come in handy, yet the people who should do this are scattered all over the country. Before such changes are made, it may take a month or two, but with an e-government this will be done so fast. Also the strategy will be closer to the people. One need not visit one office after the other.

A.E: How far has this gone?

Gedion: It is being done in phases. At least we are through with phase one which is the conceptualization stage. We are now in the implementation stage that has to do with the modalities of implementation, financing, systems development and putting the right legislation in place to support the policies and govern the process. Some government websites are already up and others that were already there are being improved. Once everything is in place we shall then evaluate the entire process and then review it for necessary improvements. This should be viewed as a cycle which is continuous through out the entire process.

A.E: Who are in charge of making this process a success?

Gedion: Permanent Secretaries are working hand in hand with the ICT departments in the various government ministries.

A.E:  What challenges do you face?

Gedion: Lack of funds and this slows the entire process. Some politicians are not willing to embrace it. There is inadequate staffing to implement this strategy and lastly there is need for thorough research to know how effective it will be once implemented. Unfortunately, most developing countries copy ideas from the west and they do not conduct research on how effective the ideas will be once implemented. We need our own legislation to govern this.

A.E: Do you think this is a complex phenomenon since you have not even finalized on a national I.C.T policy?

Gedion: We have the I.C.T policy; the problem is that we do not have laws to enforce this. For example, if we are fighting crime and come across evidence in a hard disk, is that admissible as evidence in a court of law? Can a forged document transmitted on email be accepted as evidence? All ministries have policies that govern the use of computers, but the same can also be challenged as no laws or legislation backs them. We also need to harmonize the various I.C.T policies that exist.

A.E: Do you think this will help in the development of the country?

Gedion: Definitely it will. For example, we shall be able to curb corruption to a certain extent, for example, in cases where people make payments for licenses or other government services and receipts go missing, this will be dealt with as this information will be stored in the systems. Services shall be delivered on time. For example look at the immigration office today, to get a Kenyan passport one needs a PIN number, an ID, birth certificate among others. If all these things were in the system, one does not need to visit the immigration office to verify all this. Also the annual license fee paid by companies and organizations will also be done online, you do not have to go queuing for these services. Can you see how much time we waste making all these follow ups?

A.E: In Africa where does Kenya stand in relation to e-governance?

Gedion: We are better off than most African countries that are still tackling problems such as war, democracy, human rights among others. We are already tackling this problems and I am sure it will be for the good of everyone. South Africa and some Arab countries have already done this, we too can do it.

A.E: What’s your take on this?

Gedion: Just like a baby who falls severally and does not give up before knowing how to walk, we should take this up and work towards its success. As much as we have had some teething problems, we should improve what we already have. Imagine a country with an effective e-government in place; the world will be a better place.