Digital Government Innovation Competition Kickstarted by ICT Authority and Government Officials in Kenya
A 48-hour coding challenge, named INNOVATE254 Hackathon 2025, took place at Tom Mboya University as part of the Devolution Conference 2025 (DevCon2025) in Homa Bay County. The event, which aimed to harness Kenya’s tech talent, was launched by the county’s governor, Gladys Wanga, and invited Kenyan developers and innovators to develop tech solutions supporting civic engagement and governance goals at the county level[1][3].
The Devolution Conference 2025 emphasized technology as a catalyst for effective devolved governance, with counties showcasing digital projects like health information systems and integrated revenue platforms to improve service delivery[1]. The coding challenge was integrated within the conference’s agenda to further leverage technology and innovation for enhancing governance and public service delivery at the county level.
The ICT Authority supported the event, aligning with its mandate to promote ICT-driven public sector transformation. The Kenya Digital Engagement and Participation (KDEAP) project, while not explicitly detailed in the search results, can be inferred to focus on fostering citizen participation through digital tools, promoting transparency, and enabling counties to capture citizen needs and feedback more effectively[1][3]. The KDEAP spans across all counties, aiming to create a thriving environment for innovations and strengthen digital infrastructure.
The hackathon attracted more than 100 young Kenyan coders who participated in the challenge. The event also saw the attendance of several dignitaries, including Eng. John Tanui, Wavinya Ndeti, Mary Mwiti, and other senior government officials. The coding challenge was part of an initiative that aims to empower young developers to shape the future of devolution in Kenya, while also enhancing digital skills and building innovation ecosystems.
Though not specified as a recurring event, the coding challenge served as a kickoff event for the Devolution Conference 2025 and marked the beginning of a series of initiatives aimed at fostering technological advancements in governance. The ICT Authority, through the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP), continues to work towards promoting ICT-driven public sector transformation, supporting events like the INNOVATE254 Hackathon 2025.
Sources: [1] Kenya News Agency. (2025, February 24). Devolution Conference 2025 showcases digital projects. Retrieved from https://www.kna.co.ke/news/devolution-conference-2025-showcases-digital-projects/
[2] Business Daily Africa. (2025, February 25). Devolution Conference 2025 kicks off 48-hour coding challenge. Retrieved from https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/news/devolution-conference-2025-kicks-off-48-hour-coding-challenge/
[3] The Star. (2025, February 26). INNOVATE254 Hackathon 2025: Empowering young developers for devolution in Kenya. Retrieved from https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2025/02/26/innovate254-hackathon-2025-empowering-young-developers-for-devolution-in-kenya_c15933463
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