NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya’s Information, Communications, and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo is urging Members of Parliament to expedite the construction of ICT hubs across their constituencies
This project is set to boost digital literacy among the nation’s youth.
Speaking at Swahilipot in Mvita Sub-County during the unveiling of the 205th digital hub, Owalo emphasized the critical role these hubs play in the Kenya Kwanza administration’s development agenda.
“As the CS for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, I am tasked with ensuring ICT hubs are established nationwide to equip our youth with digital skills,” Owalo stated.
The Swahilipot hub aligns perfectly with this vision, aiming to empower the youth with essential digital competencies.
To facilitate this rollout, the ministry has partnered with legislators, allowing them to allocate three percent of their annual National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) towards building digital hubs.
The government’s role is to provide internet connectivity, equip the hubs with computers, and offer free training, eventually linking youth to multinational job opportunities.
Empowering Youth Through Digital Skills
Owalo encouraged young people to draw inspiration from peers already earning through online jobs, achieving financial independence without the need for traditional white-collar employment.
“You can be in Kenya and work for technology firms in America, Germany, India, the UK, or Singapore. Youths working online are paid in dollars,” he emphasized.
The government aims to transition all services online, significantly expanding from the initial 350 services on the e-Citizen platform to 17,020 services now available.
This shift ensures citizens can access services from the comfort of their homes, eliminating intermediaries and reducing corruption.
Seamless Connectivity for a Digital Economy
In a bid to ensure seamless internet connectivity, the government is innovating its approach by using Kenya Power Company’s transmission lines to lay fiber optic cables.
“At any place with a transformer, we will connect fiber. Ultimately, where there’s an electricity meter, there will be internet,” Owalo explained.
This plan is part of a broader strategy to transform government operations into a paperless system, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency.
The focus on last-mile internet and electricity connections is poised to propel Kenya towards a 24-hour economy.
Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi also urged the youth to utilize these hubs to improve their digital literacy as the Head of State continues to secure job opportunities globally.
ICT hubs are set to revolutionize youth employment and digital literacy, and also boost the country’s growing economy.
