Pwani Expo Tech that took place on 23rd and 24th was the first tech expo in Mombasa. The event was organised by the Mombasa Tech Community, a community based organisation focused on Security and Technological advancements by creating a stolen platform where young innovative youth could showcase their ideas.
There were several activities that included presentation of products and applications by various companies and Developers.
Mombasa County Governor, Hassan Joho noted that the county governments were already using IFMIS, International Financial Management System called as a solution to public procurement but called on local developers to provide local solutions. He added that local solutions would be more effective in dealing with local challenges like insecurity.
There have been increased terrorist attacks in Mombasa and other Kenyan cities that have seen Kenya initiated military action against al-Shabaab by crossing into Somalia in 2011.
In 2014 the Mombasa County will be launched an initiative together with the National government to curb cases of insecurity.
Dr Fred Mugambi, Director of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agricultural and Technology (JKUAT) reiterated the Governors call in his opening presentation at the Expo. He argues that there will be less use of guns and force in crime and more use of technology to compromise security systems.
Mugambi made a comparison between the city of Vienna, Austria and Mombasa pointing out the differences in crime statistics. Vienna is a ‘smart city’ that has extremely low crime statistics as a result of incorporation of high tech security systems.
His presentation concluded with recommendations on how to make Mombasa safer by making a smart city.
