The Ministry of Information Communication and Technology, in conjunction with the ICT Authority, have officially kicked off Kenya's first innovation forum in Nairobi, under the theme: "Mind the Gap; Close the Gap".

The forum brings together ICT companies, education bodies, the government and entrepreneurs in a two-day forum to facilitate conversations on how to spur ICT innovations in the country.

Welcoming delegates to the forum, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and Technology, Dr. Fred Matiang'i said that it was a good meeting point to have unified conversations on innovation in the country.

"This is an opportunity for us to have conversations on innovation and on ways to take it to the next level," he said.

"I am excited on how Kenyans are innovating in the various hubs. No one should be discouraged. They start small and they will grow," the cabinet secretary commented.

Victor Kyalo the chief executive officer for the ICT Authority said "In the last few years Kenya has made a mark in the world in ICT. This phenomenon has put Kenya as an ICT investment destination."

He said that this growth offers Kenya an opportunity to have home grown ICT companies that will positively affect the country's economy.

One of the topics on the agenda is local ICT companies securing government projects in order to create 180,000 jobs by the year 2020, and contribute 8% to the country's GDP in the same year.

The Forum includes top officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority and procurement. The country's president Uhuru Kenyatta will open the event on the second day of proceedings.