3. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 3.1 INTRODUCTION The rapid advancements in the field of Information Technology (IT) and the resultant explosive growth of the information services sector have radically changed the world’s economic and social landscape. These changes have given rise to a new society based on information and knowledge. This has further resulted in new avenues of development, employment, productivity, efficiency, and enhanced economic growth. Globally, IT-led growth is creating jobs, raising productivity, increasing incomes and opening many opportunities for increased trade and human development. Extensive application of information technology now provides opportunities for new ways to create wealth thus contributing significantly to poverty alleviation. The Government recognizes that there is a growing digital divide between the countries that are highly endowed and developed in the field of information technology and Kenya as well as between rural and urban areas in the country. It is therefore, the objective of the Government to initiate steps to reduce this divide by using information technology to rapidly develop all sectors of the economy. The Government recognises information as a resource which must be generated, collected, organized, leveraged, secured and preserved for national prosperity. 3.2 POLICY OBJECTIVES The broad-objectives of the IT policy include: a) Ensuring that IT plays a key role as an empowerment tool, addressing gaps relating to gender, youth, people with special needs, rural and urban and disadvantaged groups, and as a literacy tool for the population and potential users; b) Fostering the use of IT to promote tourism and protect Kenyan social values, culture, and environment; 9