Kenya's Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during the launch of the digital platforms.

Kenya has unveiled two new digital platforms designed to streamline the management of presidential directives and foreign travel approvals for senior government officials.

The Kenyan government says the Presidential Directives Management Information System (PDMIS) and the Foreign Travel Management Information System (FOTIMS) both seek to address the need for greater efficiency and transparency in government operations.

Speaking at the launch, Kenya’s deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, said the introduction of these digital platforms is part of the government’s efforts to enhance governance and streamline public service delivery through digital transformation.

He further noted the two platforms will be vital in increasing efficiency, transparency and accountability within the government.

“FOTIMS enhances application, processing and approval of foreign travel for public servants. Importantly, it ensures prudent use of public resources and accountability for expenses incurred during the travels,” the deputy president said.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve governance, noting the new platforms will play a big role in tracking directives issued and ensure expeditious implementation.

Kenya’s deputy chief of staff, Eliud Owalo, emphasised the pivotal role of these new systems in advancing accountability and effective governance. “PDMIS, which manages and tracks presidential directives, and FOTIMS, which streamlines the process of foreign travel clearance, are pivotal in advancing accountability,” he said.

The PDMIS system is accessible only to cabinet secretaries (ministers) and principal secretaries, who can download directives through their respective portals. What this means is that all presidential directives will now be dispatched exclusively through PDMIS, eliminating the need for hard copies.

The FOTIMS platform, on the other hand, automates the process of approving foreign travel for senior government officials. It replaces the manual approval process with a digital platform, ensuring that all travel is justified and resources are used prudently.