The government has stepped up efforts to grow digital skills in the country by working closely with local universities to assemble devices and expand access to technology.
ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo on Friday visited Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), where 3,000 digital devices are currently being assembled.
At the same time, another 7,000 devices are being put together at Moi University as part of the government’s plan to roll out digital services across the country.
Speaking during the visit, Kabogo said the move is part of the government’s wider digital transformation agenda being pushed by President William Ruto.
He noted that working with local institutions is helping build skills among young people while also supporting local capacity.
According to officials, the devices that are currently being put together should take three weeks to be completed and then they will be rolled out to the various digital innovation centers around the nation.
At the moment, there are over 20,000 devices being used in over 300 hubs. In terms of its plans, the government aims to build about 1,450 innovation centers in total, at least one per ward.
The initiative is also being helped along by Members of Parliament with support from NG-CDF, as they will finance the construction of these hubs.
As such, the authorities claim that this venture will ensure that the centres are efficiently run and that they keep serving their respective communities for many years to come.
In addition to increasing access to ICT services, especially in the rural areas, this program is expected to create more opportunities for the youths in technology.
A number of the key personalities present at this event were Prof Victoria Ngumi, the Vice-Chancellor of JKUAT and Jessy Maruti, the ICT Authority’s CEO.