Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has revealed the details of his meeting with former United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Mudavadi has called for accelerated efforts to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Kenya’s agricultural sector and primary education system.

Taking to his official X account on Thursday, October 10, 2024, after his meeting with Blair, Mudavadi emphasized the need to equip all of Kenya’s 23,000 primary schools with internet connectivity, stressing that early exposure to technology is critical for the country’s future development.

During their meeting, Mudavadi highlighted the success of the government’s initiative to register farmers, a move he says has revolutionized the delivery of essential farming inputs and significantly boosted food production.

“For a more rapid and impactful adoption of technology in agriculture, we must prioritize developing a curriculum for primary school students and ensure that all 23,000 primary schools nationwide are equipped with internet connectivity,” he said in a statement shared via his official social media accounts.

“During my meeting with former United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Tony Blair, I emphasized the pivotal role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in agriculture. I highlighted the government’s landmark achievement of registering farmers, which has transformed the delivery of essential inputs and significantly boosted food production.”

Mudavadi on school curriculum

He underscored the importance of developing a tech-centred curriculum for primary school students, which would enable them to adapt to the growing role of technology in sectors such as agriculture, transport, security, and human rights.

With 70% of Kenya’s population consisting of young people, the CS believes the youthful demographic is well-positioned to adopt and harness the power of ICT to drive development.

“With Kenya’s youthful population, comprising 70% of the total, I stressed that the integration of technology into key sectors such as agriculture, transport, security, and human rights is not only critical for development but also likely to be readily embraced,” he stated.

Mudavadi on technology challenges

Mudavadi also addressed the challenges posed by technology, particularly the spread of misinformation and the misuse of digital platforms.

He cautioned that while technology has the potential to transform Kenya, safeguards must be in place to prevent it from being used as a tool for harm.

“However, I also noted the importance of responsible use of digital platforms, cautioning against the spread of misinformation and the misuse of technology as a tool for harm, a challenge we have witnessed both in Kenya and globally. This approach aims to balance technological advancement with safeguards for the public good, ensuring that innovation serves as a positive force for our country’s future,” Mudavadi’s statement reads.

For a more rapid and impactful adoption of technology in agriculture, we must prioritize developing a curriculum for primary school students and ensure that all 23,000 primary schools nationwide are equipped with internet connectivity. During my meeting with former United Kingdom… pic.twitter.com/xKUjKUe2h6

— Musalia W Mudavadi (@MusaliaMudavadi) October 10, 2024