World Bank funds KNA’s digitisation project to the tune of Ksh300 million

Kenyans are set to benefit from a World Bank funded project to the tune of Ksh300 million ($3 million) by being able to access online unique historical photographs, negatives, slides, video clips and data held by Kenya News Agency (KNA).

The KNA Deputy Director, Esther Wanjau has said that by end of November all historical content with the agency will be available online in a user-friendly e-commerce web portal.  Speaking at a briefing session on the progress of project after hosting World Bank officials led by Senior ICT Policy Specialist, Arleen Cannata Seed, Ms Wanjau said the web portal will be officially launched in December.

Next Technologies, an ICT company, and Alliance Technologies, a firm which offers networking, hosting, web development, and software solutions have been contracted to implement the Kenya Transparency and Communication Infrastructure project.

Ms Wanjau, who is the project leader, said that out of 70,000 photographs, including those taken during the colonial period, about 41,000 have been digitised and data accompanying them keyed in.

She said the project also involves automation of  the operations of  the agency to enable timely flow of quality information from its field offices to the headquarters at Nairobi for editing and eventually to the subscribers and the public, saying  the automation will be completed mid next  year.

Ms Seed said the digitisation of KNA historical material is important to preserve Kenya’s history for future generations. “Digitisation is extremely important for us to be able to support Kenya’s national heritage in this manner because we believe your assets (photographs, video, news stories and features) are extremely valuable contribution to development not just of your country and the region but are valuable contribution to the world as a whole”, said Ms. Seed.

She praised KNA for being at the forefront in the region to follow the footstep of renowned agencies in the world to automate and digitize its historical data. “This is where the world is moving. Other news agencies have done it,” said Ms Seed. (KNA)