Nakuru: The Nakuru County government, in partnership with Generation Kenya, has launched a pilot program aimed at connecting more than 4,000 youth to online jobs. County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education, ICT, e-Government, and Public Communication, Ms. Zipporah Ngugi, announced the initiation of a training program designed to empower youth on how to find and earn a living online. This initiative includes training 500 youth with a background in Information Technology (IT) on how to secure online jobs and monetize internet access through the partnership.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ms. Ngugi highlighted that the online platform training is expected to expand the youth's opportunities in areas such as scholarly writing, digital freelancing, proposal writing, e-marketing, and blogging. Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Generation Kenya, she emphasized that the training aims to provide youth with alternative income sources and entrepreneurship platforms.
Ms. Ngugi mentioned that the 12-week course will include an Artificial Intelligence (AI) module, followed by a two-week period where trainees will be connected with digital agents to start earning while honing their skills. She noted that most online work is created by companies in the largest global economies but completed by individuals in developing regions such as Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe.
The initiative aligns with Governor Susan Kihika's commitment to enhancing livelihoods through Public-Private partnerships by equipping Nakuru youth with skills for online work. Ms. Ngugi also stated that the partnership supports the national government's initiative to create one million online jobs. Young participants will learn digital skills in data entry, transcription, and academic writing to capitalize on digital opportunities.
Ms. Ngugi urged youth to embrace online jobs through the Ajira Digital Programme, which addresses high unemployment by offering alternatives to traditional employment. Chief Executive Officer of Generation Kenya, Ms. Corrie Ngurukie, remarked that the training promotes flexible employment forms, such as micro-work and online contracting, to foster employment and economic growth.
Ms. Ngurukie emphasized efforts to change perceptions of online work, advocating its acceptance as formal employment offering decent income. She also noted that promoting digital literacy among women could help prevent and address online cyberbullying and other online threats. She encouraged graduates to explore online job opportunities, citing the significant role of ICT in the future of work and the economy.
Kenya's Internet penetration rate stands at about 85.3 percent, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya, higher than the continent's average of 28.7 percent. The Ajira Digital Programme, a joint project by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), aims to position Kenya as a labor destination for multinational companies and encourages local digital work opportunities. A recent report indicates that the program has created over 1.5 million jobs since its inception.