Plans Are Underway To Roll Out Konza National Data Centre

Plans are at an advanced stage to roll out services of the National Data Centre, located at Konza Technopolis following the completion of Phase One (1) of the project, announced Jerome Ochieng, Principal Secretary (PS) Ministry of Information Communication and Technology (ICT), Innovation and Youth Affairs. Konza Technopolis is a multi-faceted vision 2030 project whose objective is to position Kenya as a knowledge-based economy and a preferred Science, Technology and Innovation destination.

Walking the PS, Jerome Ochieng’ through the data centre. 

It is expected that government ministries and other agencies will be the early movers to migrate their data to the centre, whose services will also be available for private entities as part of the commercialisation plan. The Data Centre has so far attracted interest from both public and private entities. The PS made the revelation during a site visit to Konza Technopolis. He was accompanied by Kilome Member of Parliament, Nzambia Thaddeus, Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) Board Chairman, Reuben Mutiso and KoTDA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Eng. John Tanui.

The PS said, “There has been great progress. We have seen immense improvement. Phase One (1) of the Data Centre is ready for utilisation. Most of our data will be resident here. With more emphasis being put on the use of technology, the storage of data will be useful,” he added.

The centre will support the government’s immediate requirements and business enterprises while providing an environment for implementing and piloting initial smart city services for Konza Technopolis. Among the beneficiaries of the Data Centre is the COVID-19 Contact Centre located at Nurses Complex, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). It was just launched to offer front line workers psycho-social support as one of the ways of helping them cope with the psychological challenges and mental wellbeing. Additionally, innovators that will be incubated by KoTDA will be provided with hosting services.

The PS, Jerome Ochieng’ inside the Konza Complex that houses KoTDA. 

Through building a vibrant innovation ecosystem, Konza Technopolis shall focus on critical sectors of the economy, among them, Life Science, Engineering and ICT/ITES that will enhance local innovation, entrepreneurship and Technology enterprise-formation culture. The Data Centre project, which started in June 2019, is being implemented by the government through the Ministry of ICT, Innovation & Youth, with KoTDA as the project implementing Agency. Phase Two (II) of the project will incorporate smart city facilities and services.

During the tour, the PS also donated hand-washing machines and sanitisers to residents of Malili Town and engaged them on possible Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects that the government can provide through KoTDA.

“Among the beneficiaries of the Data Centre is the COVID-19 Contact Centre located at Nurses Complex, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). It was just launched to offer front line workers psycho-social support as one of the ways of helping them cope with the psychological challenges and mental wellbeing.”

The Kilome MP said KoTDA had made significant progress on the project, adding that over 1,000 individuals from the neighbouring community have benefited from the Konza project both directly and indirectly.

Mutiso said the progress KoTDA had made so far was a dream come true, adding that soon the Technopolis will be hosting a university, specialised medical facility, stadiums, schools, shopping malls and churches. Also in the pipeline in Konza is the Agritech Center of Excellence. It will support Kenya’s agriculture sector in areas such as precision farming, automation and adoption of technology through Global Positioning System (GPS).

Upon completion, Konza will be a world-class city driven by a thriving ICT sector, superior, reliable infrastructure and business-friendly governance systems. The biggest bonus, KoTDA will initiate programs that will support the generation of 17,000 direct jobs and 30,000 residents on completion of Phase 1 and over 200,000 residents on its completion.