Emerging Challenges Faced by Information Professionals in Achieving Kenya’s Vision 2030

Abstract

The unveiling of Kenya’s Vision 2030 marked an important milestone in Kenya’s development but the implementation and its success depends on all the stakeholders’ efforts. Vision 2030 recognizes the role of science, technology and innovation in the modern economy in which new knowledge plays a central role in boosting wealth creation, social welfare and international competitiveness. Since information is a key factor in production, its dissemination and storage should be handled by a well trained workforce. Librarians and other information professionals are therefore indispensable in the delivery of Vision 2030. As Kenya strives to achieve the goals of Vision 2030 information professionals are faced with a great challenge of changing technology, infrastructure, limited funding and few qualified information professionals. It should be noted that a well trained body of people tends to imbue each other with confidence which they need to tackle the jobs demanded of them. It is through this that information patrons and the information materials interact as a result of the quality service given by the information staff. In addressing the challenges faced by information professions, this paper attempts to bring out the role of various training programmes vis a vis the market demand, information bodies/associations and their role, current paradigm shift in the field of information, changing technology, and the impact of limited funding on information management, among others. The paper concludes by elaborating on various critical issues that ought to be addressed if information professionals are to be relevant in the realization of Kenya’s Vision 2030. Recommendations and conclusion are also highlighted. Keywords: Information professionals, Information services, information communication technology, Vision 2030, information overload IJ99 2011; 2(3): 297-306