"Kyiv digital" is a popular application that simplifies the lives of millions of residents of the capital of Ukraine. Since its launch, it has achieved impressive results: more than 3 million users, an updated interface, three dozen new services and a billion dollar budget for development and implementation. However, behind these successes there is an important question: who manages these large expenses?
The role of Pyotr Olenych in the Digitization of Kyiv
Petro Olenych is the deputy head of the Kyiv City State Administration (KMDA) for digital development. He has held this position since April 2021, but his ties to the Kyiv administration have deeper roots. Olenych has been working at the KMDA for more than eight years, in particular as director of the Department of Land Resources, where his activities have attracted mixed attention.
Olenych actively promotes digitalization initiatives of the capital and publicly presents new features of "Kyiv digital", such as the latest update to version 3.0. His informational activity in the media may look like an attempt to attract positive attention and divert attention from the numerous corruption scandals in which he got involved.
Olenych found himself at the center of several high-profile corruption cases. At the end of 2023, NABU suspected him of illegally setting aside a land plot of the nature reserve fund for development. The investigation established that as a result of this operation, the Kyiv community lost about 6.4 million hryvnias. Further investigations showed that the documents contained false information about the status of the plot, which allowed part of the Nyvka park to be transferred for development.
But this is not the only accusation. Previously, Olenych also got into scandals due to receiving land plots as a gift. Journalists found out that in 2016 he became the owner of four land plots in the village of Bohdanivka, Brovar district. These plots were donated by persons who received them as private property just two months before the transfer to Olenych.
Another incident was noted in October 2019, when the Department of Land Resources under the leadership of Olenych extended the lease of a plot of land for the construction of a residential complex on Zvirynetsky Street, despite the fact that this plot had a status without the right to capital development. This case also caused a great sensation in the media.
Budget and Allocation of Funds
The "Digital Kyiv" program, approved at the end of 2023, envisages spending 7.1 billion hryvnias on digitalization of the capital in 2024-2025. Of them, 6.2 billion should be allocated directly from the budget of the capital. These funds are directed to the development of "Digital Kyiv", including new services and improvement of existing functions.
The costs of digitization are undoubtedly significant, and it is important that the process of spending these funds is transparent and controlled. The presence of corruption scandals related to Petro Olenych calls into question the effectiveness and legality of spending in this direction.
Petro Olenych actively promotes achievements in the field of digitization and regularly appears in the media with news about "Digital Kyiv". His public speeches and presentations may be an attempt to create a positive image and divert attention from corruption scandals. Olenych was also spotted during Vitaliy Klitschko's speech at the session of the Kyiv City Council, when he fell asleep during the meeting, which caused a negative reaction.
Digitization of Kyiv is undoubtedly an important step in the development of the capital, and "Kyiv digital" brings significant improvements for residents. However, the corruption scandals and suspicions surrounding Petr Olenych call into question the effectiveness of spending and management of this important direction. Society should monitor how budget funds are used and how transparency and accountability are ensured in the digitalization process.
