E-government implementation in developing countries: the case of Kenya

Abstract

Use of information communications technology in government has the ability to improve service delivery to the citizens, yet many developing countries have generally lagged behind in the adoption and use of e-government. In Kenya, many studies have been carried out on issues related to success and failure of e-government, however none had assessed the status of implementation of e-government. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the implementation status of Kenya’s e-government in. This study employed a modified version of Heeks Design-Actuality Gap model that treated the entire e-government a one information system. Data was collected from 63 Information Communications Technology Officers across government between January 11th and February 10th, 2012. Gaps were scored based on Heeks 70 point scale, of which Kenya’s e-government implementation recorded a gap of 32.18 implying partial failure. To minimize the implementation gap, this study recommends that, the government should adopt a more streamline implementation structure and diversify service delivery platform.