Laikipia: Laikipia County Governor, Joshua Irungu, has commissioned a Sh3.5 million ICT hub at Wiyumiririe Vocational Training Centre. The ICT hub, funded by the Safaricom Foundation, is fully equipped with computers and internet connectivity and has a capacity of 20 learners per session.

According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Irungu expressed his gratitude to the Safaricom Foundation for supporting the vocational centre. He emphasized that the initiative will enhance digital skills not only for the students of Wiyumiririe Vocational Training Centre but also for the local community. The Governor encouraged both students and locals to utilize the hub to increase their digital knowledge.

He highlighted that the hub will facilitate online job searches and applications, thereby contributing to the online economy in the county. Governor Irungu also pointed out that the hub will streamline access to government services through the e-citizen platform and provide a platform for online marketing of local produce, which could boost the local economy. He assured residents that the county government will provide the necessary staff and personnel to operate the hub.

The Governor reiterated the county government’s commitment to partnering with the Safaricom Foundation to extend similar initiatives to more vocational centres and schools. Discussions are also underway to extend internet connectivity to hospitals.

Joe Ogutu, Chairman of the Safaricom Foundation, stated that this initiative is part of a broader program aimed at renovating vocational training centres in cooperation with county governments. This is to ensure that students and instructors have access to digital content and can acquire essential digital skills. Ogutu emphasized the importance of equipping technical students with digital skills to access the latest information in their fields.

In addition to upgrading facilities, Ogutu mentioned that the Foundation offers scholarships through the Mpesa Foundation to support young people entering technical training colleges. Currently, about 900 students in Nairobi, Marsabit, and Isiolo Counties benefit from these scholarships, with plans to expand to other counties. In Laikipia County, the Foundation has already upgraded Waithaka Polytechnic, and Wiyumiririe is the second institution, with plans to extend the program to other technical training colleges.