Kenya to Establish Digital Hubs in Every Ward to Empower Youth

TAPTENGELEI, NANDI – The Kenyan government is set to roll out digital hubs across all wards nationwide, focusing on equipping young people with advanced technological skills and linking them to digital employment opportunities, as announced by Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo.

According to Kenya News Agency, this initiative aims to enhance youth access to digital resources, improve their technological competencies, and facilitate online job market integration, ultimately addressing youth unemployment. Owalo detailed the plan during an event at Tinderet Integrated and Technical Trainers College (TITTC) in Nandi, where he inaugurated a digital hub under the broader scope of the Konza Technopolis project.

The government has already initiated 186 digital laboratories within various technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions across Kenya. These facilities have trained 390,000 youths and connected 135,000 to digital job opportunities. Owalo emphasized the digital domain’s vast potential for job creation and highlighted the government’s commitment to transitioning all public services to the E-citizen platform, reflecting a push towards a digital-first governance model.

The CS also outlined plans to make smart mobile phones more affordable, aiming to ensure widespread access to E-citizen services and foster a 24-hour economy. Additionally, there are ongoing efforts to enhance internet connectivity in markets to boost e-commerce and reduce the necessity for physical transactions.

Principal Secretary John Tanui, from the state department of ICT and the digital economy, underscored the importance of these initiatives in positioning Kenya as a global digital hub and generating high-quality jobs for Kenyan youth. He encouraged young people to leverage these new digital resources for self-improvement and global market integration.

The event was also attended by Julius Melly, Tinderet Constituency’s Member of Parliament, who urged local youths to capitalize on the digital hubs for skill development, advocating for TITTC to become a regional ICT training hub and emphasizing the importance of eschewing counterproductive behaviors in favor of educational advancement.