"Witnessing our digital transformation taking shape has been deeply rewarding"

Dorcas Bonareri Makworo, Business Development, Research and Marketing Engineer at the Ministry of Roads and Transport in Kenya, was one of the participants in the Building Innovation Capabilities Programme (BIC), which trained public officials in Tanzania and Kenya to work more innovatively to create societal impact.

Please tell us about your background.

"I hold a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a Master of Science in mechanical engineering – renewable and sustainable energy. I joined government service in 2017 under the Ministry of Roads and Transport, State Department for Roads, Mechanical and Transport Directorate. Over the years, I have served in various capacities, and I currently head the Business Development, Research, and Marketing Section, a unit I proactively initiated and successfully established."

Dorcas, what drew you to this project, and why did you want to participate?

"I was drawn to the programme because I felt it would directly address some of the most pressing challenges in Kenya’s public sector, including inefficient systems, bureaucratic delays, underutilised resources, and resistance to change. As someone heading the newly established Business Development, Research, and Marketing section, I saw this as an opportunity to gain practical tools, learn the best global practices, and integrate fresh innovative ideas into our operations. I saw it as a valuable opportunity to create networks and collaborate with like-minded professionals, learn from shared experiences, and translate ideas into actionable strategies to drive tangible changes in the public sector."

What innovation capability project have you chosen to work on within your organisation during the BIC programme?

"During the BIC programme, we spearheaded our digital transformation by creating the institution’s first website and establishing an online presence through X, LinkedIn, and Facebook to showcase our work and create awareness, and sensitise the public on the Mechanical and Transport Directorate."

What challenges have you faced during this project, and how have you overcome them?

"One key challenge has been slower growth in our online engagement. While we had projected over a thousand active participants by now, we currently have about 280 followers on both X and Facebook. Managing these platforms single-handedly has been demanding, as active engagement requires a consistent online presence. However, I am committed to growing the audience, after which I plan to hand over the day-to-day management to other passionate personnel to help manage once the platforms are stable."

What has been the most exciting or rewarding aspect of your involvement in BIC so far?

"The most exciting and rewarding aspect of my involvement in BIC is seeing our ideas become tangible results. Establishing our institution’s first website and launching active social media platforms has transformed how we connect with the public, making our work more visible and accessible. It has also been fulfilling to clearly outline gaps in our department, helping us prioritise improvement areas. Witnessing our digital transformation taking shape has been deeply rewarding, knowing we are laying the foundation for long-term engagement, growth, and innovation in our sector."

What has the collaboration been like in this project?

"Collaboration in this project has been highly engaging and enriching, and was key to our institution’s success. Working alongside colleagues and like-minded professionals created a supportive environment for sharing ideas, refining solutions, and learning from each other. The personalised coaching sessions were especially impactful as they helped us identify gaps in our work, address barriers, and align our efforts with our goals. The coaches’ passion and dedication to our success made the process both effective and inspiring, ensuring that our outcomes were relevant, practical, and sustainable."

If you had to summarise your experience in a few words, which words would you choose and why?

"I would mention transformative, impactful and edifying. It was edifying, because I have learnt a lot. For me information is power. Impactful because the lessons and strategies gained have already started producing results."