You Don’t Need to Be an Expert to Run ICT Ministry – CS Kabogo
ICT and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) William Kabogo has asserted that one does not need to be a technocrat to head the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy.
Speaking during a recent interview, Kabogo emphasized that leadership – not technical expertise – is what qualifies him to lead the ministry. The former Kiambu Governor and Juja MP said his political experience and leadership track record won him President William Ruto’s trust to serve in the Cabinet.
“To run a hospital, you don’t need to be a surgeon. In this field, there is no expert. If you keep up with the times, you should keep up with ICT things,” Kabogo told Capital FM.
He said his leadership has already begun shaking things up within the ministry, including confronting laxity and outdated systems. “I went into the ministry and I saw laxity. People were demoralized… An agency cannot even tell me how many employees they have. I directed that we need biometrics. They did that yesterday, six weeks later.”
Kabogo said his hands-on style has already started delivering results. “This energy I bring is to keep things moving… I am causing things to happen and I am firm that we must do the right thing.”
The CS revealed that as of April 7, 2025, his ministry has gone fully paperless in an effort to lead the charge in digitizing government operations. “We have a very serious ministry. I want to be the one who made the government digital.”
He admitted, however, that resistance to change is still a major challenge in government. “That is difficult because there has been a lot of resistance based on how things in government have been done.”
Kabogo also disclosed plans to build a public portal where Kenyans can engage leaders directly in online conversations. “We want ministers to have two hours talking to Kenyans… We should allow Kenyans to express.”
Responding to recent online backlash questioning his ICT credentials, Kabogo said he welcomes public scrutiny. “You saw how they attacked me with memes… I really didn’t know them and that is what we expect as a country.”
Despite ridicule over his perceived lack of computer and tech skills, Kabogo remains adamant that leadership – not deep technical knowledge – is the key to running the ICT ministry effectively.
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You Don’t Need to Be an Expert to Run ICT Ministry – CS Kabogo