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UNODC Advocates for Use of Technological Solutions to Combat Economic Crimes

 

Nairobi (Kenya), 23 – 24 March 2022 - UNODC joined the County Government of Kiambu alongside other key stakeholders in the tech and innovation space to celebrate the Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week that was hosted at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Industrial Park. The week-long activities involved displays and exhibitions of different digital solutions to development challenges that undermine the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and Kenya’s Vision 2030. 

The event brought together representatives from the private and public sector, civil society, among others, in discussing the role of technology in addressing key development and governance challenges facing both the national and county governments.  

On 23 March 2022, UNODC took part in the innovation week by showcasing anti-corruption tech solutions from Team Enigma and Procquire who were finalists in the recently concluded Pan-African Code4Integrity Hackathon. The solutions centred on streamlining public procurement and financial management systems and safeguarding them from corruption and unethical conduct through blockchain technology, machine learning and artificial intelligence. These displays attracted the attention of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) disbursement agencies, banks and start-ups, amongother key sector players.

The official opening ceremony was led by H.E Governor of Kiambu James Nyoro and the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Joseph Mucheru, on Thursday, 24 March 2022. The day involved panel discussions, keynote speeches and round-table discussions centring on the challenges and opportunities that technology presents for Kenya’s development prospects.

H.E James Nyoro noted the unique opportunities that tech-based solutions present in tackling age-old development challenges. He noted that technology had a transformative power in effectively addressing problems that have inhibited development in the country. “It is important that innovative ideas and technologies that have arisen be harnessed to be able to tackle this situation that exists within the county and the country at large,” he said. Hon. Nyoro iterated the importance of setting up technology hubs that will allow innovators to continue developing cutting-edge solutions across all sectors. 

Cabinet Secretary, Joseph Mucheru, applauded the efforts made by the youth in developing technology-based solutions to tackle modern-day challenges. He emphasised that Kenya is recognised for its innovation, and it is essential to constantly encourage the youth to leverage technology solutions that will benefit society at large. 

In concert with these remarks, the UNODC Regional Representative, Neil Walsh, in a video message, highlighted how technology has shaped the world during the COVID-19 global pandemic and the many technological opportunities that continue to present themselves in expediting Kenya’s developmental gains. He, however, stressed on the need for proper safeguards in law and policy to prevent the misuse of technology to carry out sophisticated crimes such as corruption and money laundering. 

He urged all stakeholders present to continue to explore the use of technology in combatting economic crimes, building resilient governance institutions and frameworks, empowering the youth and most importantly, protecting victims of cybercrimes. His parting note to all present was to view technology as both a solution and a potential challenge to development in the country.

The Innovation Week set the stage for Kenya’s potential for multi-sectoral engagement on anti-corruption efforts within the tech space.

  

For more information, please contact: 

Ms. Charity Kagwi – charity.kagwi@un.org   

Head of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme; and Anti-Corruption Programme

UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa