In an announcement made on Friday evening, the ICT Authority has appointed Jessy Kiveu Maruti as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective February 16, 2026. Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo approved the appointment following a selection process.
Maruti replaces Acting CEO Zilpher Owiti.
Maruti has 18 years of experience in digital transformation and ICT policy. Most recently, he headed public sector operations at Telkom Kenya, where he oversaw major infrastructure projects, including the National Optic Fiber Backbone Infrastructure, the Government Common Core Network, and the Integrated Financial Management Information System.
In his acceptance remarks, Maruti, who describes himself as a digital transformation strategist, called his appointment “both an honor and a responsibility to serve the country at a crucial moment in its digital transformation journey.”
Outgoing Acting CEO Zilpher Owiti expressed confidence in Maruti’s leadership, saying his experience and qualifications will strengthen the ICT Authority’s role in expanding digital services and advancing Kenya’s knowledge-based economy.
Under Maruti’s leadership, the ICT Authority will focus on rolling out 100,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable and strengthening technology-driven service delivery as outlined in its 2024-2027 Strategic Plan.
However, Maruti faces a bigger challenge: moving Kenya beyond being merely users of foreign technology. Currently, the country has little local research and development, engineering, or manufacturing of ICT devices and software.
His task will be to promote not just the adoption of technology but the science, technology, and engineering behind the devices Kenyans use, building a foundation for homegrown innovation rather than remaining dependent on imported solutions.
