Introduction
PwC Kenya Partner and Head of Government and Public Sector Services, Benson Okundi paints a picture of what governance in uncertain times looks like & shares on how governments and public sector organisations can emerge stronger.
In this issue...
Foreword
PwC Risk Assurance Services Partner in East Africa and Infrastructure industry leader, Edward Kerich discusses the latest developments in Kenya's infrastructure and telecommunications space, the impact of COVID-19 and what public sector organisations can anticipate going forward.
Co-creation of a new beginning
What emerges from today’s world of uncertainty is that people, businesses and governments are definately interconnected. PwC Mauritius Partner, Rajeev Basgeet discusses how all stakeholders can come together to co-create a clear, ambitious shared vision of what the future could look like.
Preparing to rebuild our economy now
As governments develop longer-term economic stimulus packages, they should design them around the core principle of building stronger, more resilient economies that support the long-term health and wellbeing of citizens. PwC's James Nyakundi shares his thoughts in this article.
Public finances and national debt: What lessons can we learn from our own wallets?
Public finance and personal finance may seem to have nothing in common, but in practice they have the same basic characteristics. In this article, PwC's Anthony Njeeh poses an important question to our readers: Would you be comfortable with the state of Kenya’s finances if it reflected in your own personal financial position?
Building resilient and sustainable health systems
There are many lessons to learn from the health and economic consequences of COVID-19. In this article, PwC's Joseph Kagiri discusses how the pandemic could well become a catalyst for a paradigm shift in Africa’s quest to achieve Universal Health Coverage and many of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Managing disruption in the education sector
When disruption occurs, learning is usually interrupted. PwC's Valentine Njeri explores various continuity strategies that decision makers in education can consider to reduce the impact of future disruptions in the sector.
Public Financial Management Reforms in Zambia in the 21st Century
"Considering the impact of the current health and economic crisis, the Zambian Government will have to make some tough choices, including where to realise more value and where to cut expenditure." PwC Zambia Partner, Charity Mulenga shares her thoughts in this article.
Transforming Africa through ICT: Managing crises through technology
The COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity for Africa to transform its economies through innovation and ICT, as well as to prepare more effectively for future crises. PwC Rwanda Senior Manager, Victor Omurunga, however notes that countries will have to invest in ICT infrastructure, foster innovations and effectively regulate emerging technologies to achieve a balance between collective safety and individual privacy, if they are to realise these benefits.
Cybersecurity priorities for the public sector
Organisations must dig deeper to uncover cybersecurity risks. In this article, PwC's Benjamin Mkwizu explains why achieving greater cyber resilience as a society and within organisations will require a more concerted effort to uncover and manage new risks inherent in emerging technologies.
Data protection requirements for the public sector
The public sector has a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that national data is kept safe. Helping to set that tone, there are currently two pieces of data protection legislation applicable in Kenya; The Data Protection Act, 2019 (“DPA”) & the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which is applicable by virtue of its extra-territorial application. In this article, PwC's Caroline Kipkulei discusses these laws and their application in detail.
Digitisation in the public sector
Digitisation is crucial for creating a more innovation-driven, competition-based and value-adding economy. In this article, PwC's Laolu Akindele compares local and global trends in digitisation and highlights the key areas that Kenya’s government should prioritise on its digitisation journey.
Enhancing agility amongst development partners, donors and NPOs
The UN, development agencies, NPOs and the wider donor community play a vital role in building healthy communities by providing critical services that contribute to economic and social stability and mobility. In this article, PwC's Stella Githinji and Noni Kadzutu discuss why the donor community, now more than ever, needs to simplify their current funding arrangements and diversify their interventions whilst maintaining accountability for the use of funds.
Non-Governmental Organisations as catalysts of economic growth
NGOs have become increasingly important to the promotion of sustainable development in Kenya. In this article, PwC's Gideon Rotich and Mwangi Karanja discuss why joint partnerships between governments, NGOs and the private sector are crucial to Kenya’s development trajectory.
Sustainability of NPOs in evolving and challenging times
Sustainability is not a goal to be reached but a way of thinking, a way of being & a principle we must be guided by. The Not-for-Profit Organisation (NPO) sector cannot and should not leave their sustainability to chance... PwC's Mercy Kuria and Mwangi Karanja share their thoughts in this article.
Fraud risks facing NPOs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
As NPOs tighten their belts in response to the economic pressure brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, fraudsters are also adapting to this ‘new normal’ to exploit any weaknesses and opportunities that they can find. In this article, PwC's Eric Owino challenges organisations' gatekeepers to exercise even more vigilance and to focus their attention not only on dealing with the crisis but also on the potential for fraud. After all, the last thing that an organisation needs during a crisis is another crisis...
Augmented Reality applications for the NPO sector
Beyond just visual effects, AR has the potential to provide a multi-sensory composite experience. Dennis Maina and Nicholas Kanyagia from PwC's Business Recovery Services unit discuss the potential Augmented Reality has and possible applications for companies in the public sector.
Commercialisation of data in the telecommunications sector
Globally, telecommunication industry revenues are declining in their core business services such as SMS and voice calls due to the availability of alternatives and pressure from over-the-top (OTT) services such as WhatsApp, Zoom, Google chat, etc. These circumstances have necessitated telcos to find new sources of revenues. In this article, PwC's Laolu Akindele discusses why it's important for telcos to navigate the legal and technology implications carefully and develop use cases that are attractive and relevant to their clients.
Kenya’s Power Sector – Is it Time for Increased Private Participation?
PwC's Isaac Otolo, Edna Gitachu, Germano Mutahi, Hawa Bonaya and Roland Ogore believe it's time to rethink the power distribution model in Kenya. Electricity is the glue that keeps the economy together. Therefore, policies should be implemented that encourage rather than discourage investment in Kenya’s power generation and distribution, and at the same time make it easier for consumers nationwide to utilise more of it.
The case for private sector power transmission in Kenya
Access to cheap and affordable electricity has been identified as one of the key drivers for Kenya to attain its Vision 2030 goals as well as the Big 4 agenda. In a bid to achieve these objectives, the government of Kenya aims to deliver universal access to electricity by 2022 and as such, it has implemented various measures to incentivise private sector investment in the generation of electricity in the country. In this article, PwC's Roland Ogore, Hawa Bonaya, Germano Mutahi and Isaac Otolo break down the case for private sector power transmission in Kenya
Low global oil prices: local dynamics, challenges & opportunities
Alongside the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical debate amongst the world’s oil producers has centred on appropriate production levels in an environment of weak demand. In this article, PwC's Isaac Otolo discusses in detail how low global oil prices impact Kenya’s ambition of joining the league of crude oil exporting nations.
Ports and transport: the ‘new normal’ in a COVID-19 environment
In this article, PwC Kenya Partner, Simon Mutinda weighs in on the impact of COVID-19 in the ports and transport industry as well as a number of strategies relevant stakeholders can implement to adapt and evolve in this environment.
About PwC's Government and Public Sector Services
PwC is the largest professional services firm providing services to the government and public sector in Kenya. We play an important role in helping shape Government policy on public sector modernisation and in establishing best practice. We work with Governments, international development partners and NGOs in promoting transparency and accountability of funds and ensuring that value for money is achieved by donors, national and local communities.