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The government has launched the first regional Jitume ICT Labs in Uasin Gishu and Bungoma Counties, which aims to empower the youth with digital skills and create employment opportunities.

The initiative aims to enable the youth to take advantage of digitization by ensuring access to digital devices and internet connectivity and providing training to them.

The program under the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, and Ministry of Labour led by Konza Technopolis, ICT Authority, and TVET Authority, is expected to create job opportunities.

Speaking during the launch of the program, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo said, “The Kenya National Digital Master Plan (2022-2032) envisages upskilling of over one million youth who enter the job market annually with ICT skills. Training them on ICT and other vocational areas will support the rapid adoption of ICT in business.”

Mr Owalo noted each Jitume Center will have 100 Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) with broadband connectivity, reliable power, security, and a program coordinator provided by Konza Technopolis.

17 Jitume ICT Labs have been set up in TVET institutions across the country and are expected to be all fully operational by the end of this month.

Already, some Kabete National Polytechnic trainees have been absorbed into the job market and are reaping benefits.

“We are intensifying the Digital Talent Programme, whose key components are skill development, on-the-job coaching, mentorship, training, certification, and ICT innovations,” said the CS.