Kenya set for major digital shift as govt adopts electronic signatures
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, June 12, 2026The Kenyan government is set to roll out the use of digital electronic signatures across public institutions as part of a broader digital transformation agenda aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.
While presenting the 2026/27 Budget Statement in the National Assembly on Thursday, June 11, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced that the government will introduce legal and regulatory reforms to support the adoption of secure digital identities, electronic signatures, electronic seals, and time-stamping services.
Mbadi said the reforms are intended to modernise and harmonise Kenya’s legal framework to facilitate secure digital transactions within government operations.
“In line with the Digital Transformation Agenda, the government has embarked on reforms to modernise and harmonise the legal and regulatory framework governing secure digital identities, electronic signatures, electronic seals, and time-stamping services,” Mbadi said.
Proposed amendments
To operationalise the initiative, the Treasury CS revealed that the government will submit amendments to the Public Finance Management Act and the Kenya Information and Communications Act during the next financial year. The proposed changes will also be accompanied by supporting regulations.
“I will, in the next financial year, submit to this House necessary amendments to the Public Finance Management Act and the Kenya Information and Communication Act, as well as the attendant regulations. This will make use of electronic signatures, electronic seals, and time-stamping services a reality in government, thereby creating efficiency in service delivery,” Mbadi told Parliament.
Digitisation in government agencies
According to Mbadi, the reforms will pave the way for the official use of electronic signatures and digital authentication tools across government agencies, reducing reliance on paper-based processes and accelerating service delivery.
Mbadi said the reforms aim to modernise and harmonise the legal and regulatory framework governing digital transactions and documentation in the public sector.
The move is expected to enhance efficiency in public administration by enabling faster approval processes, secure document verification, and improved record management. It also aligns with the government’s efforts to digitise public services and expand the use of technology in governance.
If approved by Parliament, the new legal framework will mark a significant milestone in Kenya’s digital transformation journey, positioning government institutions to adopt modern digital solutions that improve accessibility, accountability, and operational efficiency.
The reforms form part of the government’s wider strategy to leverage technology in public service delivery and support the country’s transition to a digital economy.