Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Monday announced that his government will create a hub for hackers at City Hall in an effort to nurture innovation among city dwellers.
Speaking at the Nairobi Innovation Tech Week on Monday, August 7, the Governor pointed out that so many Kenyans are skilled but seldom get the right environment to nurture their creative talents.
To this end, the county boss noted that the space will host talented programmers who will be tasked with coming up with innovative solutions to various challenges affecting the Capital.
"I know the ideas you have are way more effective than the old companies that have been doing business with government," the Governor remarked.
Once the innovators have competed against each other, the best hacker will be granted a lucrative opportunity to contribute to the development of more extensive innovations for the County Government.
The innovations will specifically target various challenges faced in essential sectors such as water, transport, and health.
According to Sakaja, talented programmers stand to benefit financially by enrolling. He also pointed out that this presents a golden opportunity to apply themselves in a constructive manner.
"There is a lot of capital out there that just needs us to be prepared, and to be ready, and that's what our commitment to you will be," Sakaja noted.
He urged innovators to tackle the persistent traffic issues plaguing the county.
Sakaja also assured the programmers of his commitment to realising the project and encouraged them not to dismiss it as a mere political ploy.
The Governor emphasised that the hackers' space presents a unique opportunity to transform the county and Kenya at large.
"Do not take for granted where you are. Nairobi is Africa's capital, the economic hub of the continent," he uttered.
According to the Governor, increasing automation in county services can lead to a reduction in corrupt practices, as there will be fewer opportunities for money-related interactions hence sealing graft loopholes.
In the same vein, the Governor emphasised the importance of cultivating foreign partnerships to expand Nairobi's and the continent's overall reach.
“If you tether a goat to a tree for two hours and then remove the rope, the goat will still stay there. That is where we find ourselves as a continent - a continent tied in imaginary boundaries,” the Governor lamented.
