Kisii: The government will uphold its partnership with other players in the ICT arena in a bid to ensure citizens in the remote parts of the country receive digital literacy, just like the urban elite. Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary (PS) Stephen Isaboke said the country would remain focused on actualising digital transformation through imparting of the requisite skills.
According to Kenya News Agency, presiding over the graduation of 120 youths at Kerema grounds in Nyamache sub-county, Kisii County, the PS noted that the one-month training through a mobile digital learning truck had concentrated on computer use, financial record keeping, and computer safety, which were otherwise lacking among the youth. Isaboke said the programme being undertaken throughout the country had already reached 6,000 people.
On the digital superhighway pillar of the government's Bottom-up Transformation Agenda (BETA), the CS explained that 1,450 digital hubs, dubbed jitume hubs, were in the process of being rolled out countrywide, where legislators through NG-CDF will also contribute to the programme. He said the Kenya Kwanza government's manifesto of provision of 25,000 free WIFIs will continue, with the facilitation of the Kenya power company's Last Mile Connectivity programme.
Huawei Technologies, a communication company which is a partner, was involved in the digital skills training as one way of giving back to society. Adam Lein, a representative of the company, revealed a total of 6,200 youths in 40 counties had benefited from the programme since 2019. They were being encouraged to use their digital gadgets, including laptops and cell phones, to share the skills with others because they were crucial in their daily lives.
A beneficiary, Veronica Kwamboka, lauded the programme, saying she was now able to market her products online using the acquired skills.