ICT PS Tanui calls for strong data governance to support digital economy
By Faith Lagat, January 27, 2026Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy John Tanui has underscored the importance of strong data governance frameworks in advancing Kenya’s digital economy, saying privacy should be treated as a driver of trust, innovation and sustainable growth.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Data Privacy Conference in Mombasa on Monday, January 26, 2026, organised by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC), Tanui said data protection is becoming increasingly central as the country accelerates its digital transformation agenda.
“Today I opened the 2026 Data Privacy Conference, a timely and important engagement as Kenya continues to advance its digital transformation agenda,” he said in remarks shared on his official X account.
Trust and the digital economy
Tanui noted that trust remains the backbone of digital systems, warning that economic gains in the sector cannot be sustained without strong safeguards. “Trust is the currency of the digital economy,” he said.
“Our discussions reaffirmed a fundamental truth: trust is the currency of the digital economy. As data increasingly underpins government services, healthcare, finance, AI systems, e-commerce, and cross-border trade, data protection and privacy must be understood not as compliance obligations, but as strategic enablers of innovation and economic growth.”
He noted that with data now underpinning government services, healthcare, finance, artificial intelligence systems, e-commerce and cross-border trade, he urged stakeholders to treat data protection and privacy not as compliance obligations, but as strategic enablers of innovation and economic growth.
He pointed out that Kenya’s investments in digital infrastructure, coupled with policy instruments such as the Data Protection Act of 2019, have helped position the country as a growing regional and global digital hub.
However, he cautioned that these gains would only be sustained through predictable, interoperable, and people-centred data governance frameworks that protect privacy while enabling innovation.
Role of institutions and partnerships
The ICT PS praised the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and its partners for steering Kenya’s data protection agenda through collaboration.
“I commend the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner @ODPC_KE and all stakeholders for their leadership and collaboration. Together, we must continue building a digital ecosystem that is secure, trusted, inclusive, and globally competitive,” he said.
Tanui emphasised that data governance must balance innovation with protection of citizens’ rights, noting that public confidence is critical as digital services expand across sectors.