Turkana: The Department of Education, Sports and Social Protection is in discussions with representatives from the Lotus Kenya Action for Development Organisation (LOKADO) to plan the rollout of the Digitally Enabled Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (DEGESI) project.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative, supported by the African Centre for Women in ICT (ACWICT) and funded by UKDAP, aims to train 1,250 youth aged 18-35 as Community Digital Champions (CDCs). These champions are expected to reach over 50,000 residents across Turkana, enhancing digital literacy and access to online services.
County Executive Committee Member for Education, Sports and Social Protection, Leah Audan, welcomed the project, emphasizing its potential to empower youth and marginalized groups. She called for strong partnerships to sustain and scale up the initiative, stressing the importance of balanced representation, ensuring gender equity and inclusion of persons with disabilities, minority groups, and youth from all walks of life.
LOKADO Executive Director Augustine Kai noted that graduates will receive certification from the ICT Authority (ICTA), opening doors to public service jobs and further training in fields like AI and Data Science. Dennis Esekon Lokitare, the LOKADO Programme Manager, explained that DEGESI aims to bridge long-standing digital divides in underserved communities by offering accessible, high-quality training and nurturing a new generation of change makers.
Once deployed, CDCs will assist communities in navigating e-government platforms such as Social Health Authority and eCitizen, accessing crop and weather updates, promoting online markets, guiding job seekers, and supporting mobile entrepreneurship. Director of Vocational Training Stephen Eregae, Deputy Director Jeremy Loyapan, and LOKADO Data Analyst Ambrozius Lokolel were also present.