Why Are Most Kenyan Government Websites Still a Joke?

Why Are Most Kenyan Government Websites Still a Joke?

Byelviswarutumo

Introduction

Try opening a random parastatal website in Kenya.

Dead links. Outdated news. A homepage design straight out of the early 2000s.
And it’s not because Kenya lacks developers.
It’s because most government websites are built for gatekeeping, not users.

Let’s call it what it is — bureaucracy dressed up as progress.

A Developer’s Reality in Government Projects

Let me be clear. I stopped taking government web design gigs years ago.
Why? Because they rarely reward skill or value.

You’ll see a website project quoted at KES 1.5 million.
Then be offered KES 100,000 to do all the work — while the rest disappears into people’s pockets.

Want to talk to the CEO for direction?
He’s never around.
But the procurement guy, somehow, has final say on everything — including what font the website should use.

It’s absurd.

The Real Problem: Power Without Innovation

Government websites don’t work because they weren’t designed to.
They weren’t made for usability, accessibility, or impact.
They were built to “tick boxes,” use budgets, and reward gatekeepers.

This is why freelancers in Kenya and young developers often avoid government projects.
The approval chains are long.
The contracts are opaque.
The outcomes are always the same — broken links and broken trust.

What Needs to Change

We can’t talk about building a digital economy in Kenya if:

  • The eCitizen portal crashes every other day
  • Ministry sites still use clipart icons
  • County portals take 15 minutes to load on mobile

So what would real change look like?

Let universities build their own platforms.
Empower final-year ICT students to build and manage university websites. Give them budgets and ownership.

Let high schools experiment.
If you want to promote ICT in education, start with student-built websites for each school. Use it as a learning tool.

Centralize the digital infrastructure.
The Ministry of ICT or Communications Authority should own, audit, and manage all public-facing digital assets under a single framework.

Standardize everything — from loading speeds, SEO, security, to user interface.

Stop the Wastage, Hire Real Talent

Why are we still seeing tenders where a digital poster costs KES 2 million?

Why are business websites being treated as afterthoughts instead of vital digital tools?

If you’re in government or know someone in charge of digital projects:

  • Hire professionals — not cousins
  • Pay market rates — not bribes
  • Focus on usability — not fluff

Check out this guide on how to choose the right web designer in Kenya if you’re serious about making a real impact.

There’s Still Hope — For Businesses That Want to Do It Right

If you’re a Kenyan business owner and tired of inflated budgets, dead websites, and digital fluff, there’s a better way.

We’re hosting a webinar next week on how to use Meta Ads to grow your business, generate leads, and actually get ROI.

It’s for people who want:

  • Clarity
  • Strategy
  • Execution that works

Comment “INTERESTED” or click here to register.

Final Thoughts

Most Kenyan government websites are not jokes because of poor talent.
They’re jokes because the system rewards inefficiency and dishonesty.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

As creatives, developers, designers, and digital marketers, we must lead the change.
We’ve seen the nonsense — and we no longer want to play along.

Want to sharpen your skillset, grow your influence, and stay above the noise?
Grab your copy of my eBook — Skill Up or Stay Stuck

Let’s build platforms that work.
Not just websites that “look like” work.

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