Mombasa: Information, Communication and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) William Kabogo has affirmed the government's commitment to actualise the digital superhighway pillar as espoused in the Bottom-up Economic Transformation to ensure seamless internet connectivity nationwide by 2028. Speaking during the graduation ceremony of 250 students and the official launch of the Mvita Constituency ICT Hub at Ronald Ngala Ground, CS Kabogo noted that more than 22,000 services have already been integrated into the e-Citizen platform.
According to Kenya News Agency, the CS commended Mvita MP Mohamed Machele for spearheading transformative projects and urged other leaders to set aside political bickering and focus on their development mandates. The Mvita ICT Hub is equipped with 50 modern computers and has already begun transforming lives. The students gained skills in digital literacy, soft skills, emotional intelligence, financial literacy, lessons on etiquette, and entrepreneurship in readiness for the rapidly growing global digital jobs.
CS Kabogo was accompanied by Principal Secretaries Eng. John Tanui (State Department for ICT) and Stephen Isaboke (State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications). To expand access to digital skills, the CS directed the ICT PS and Konza Technopolis to provide an additional 50 computers to the hub, ensuring more youth benefit from the life-changing initiative.
'To nurture exceptional talents. The hub should be a centre of talent and innovation for people to earn a living through online jobs,' said the CS, calling for the provision of equal opportunities for girls and boys. He further highlighted that recent amendments to the National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) Act are instrumental to the success of the digital agenda.
Under the new provisions, three percent of the NG-CDF can be allocated toward establishing digital hubs, while the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy will equip and connect them to the internet. 'We plan to establish 1450 digital hubs, including 47 centres of excellence where we will train trainers of the hubs. We will also allocate funds to offer computer loans to our youths who will be using the hubs.'
The CS reiterated the government's commitment to leveraging the digital space to create employment opportunities for young people. The CS also took a swipe at the former deputy president for propagating tribalism, saying Kenya has no space for tribalism as all Kenyans are equal human beings. He termed the recent divisive utterances by the former DP as hypocritical, as he was quiet when he was in government, and his impeachment is his Waterloo.
'This tribalism is being championed by politicians only. Reminding us of the 2007 post-election violence, how will that benefit the people? We call for peace in our country,' said the CS. ICT PS Eng. John Tanui said that the digital hubs are also being established in Technical Vocational Education and Training institutions across the country to enhance digital literacy.
'We are building Kenya's digital superhighway,' the PS said. 'With hubs like this, we ensure that no child is left behind in the digital revolution.' Broadcasting and Telecommunications PS Stephen Isaboke praised the Mvita ICT Hub as a model that should be replicated across other constituencies, pledging his support for the ministry's efforts to deliver on the Digital Superhighway pillar.
Mvita MP Mohamed Machele promised to establish the digital hubs in Tudor, Shimanzi, Old Town, Majengo and Tononoka wards as a way of addressing unemployment amid a youth bulge. Mbooni MP Erastus Kivasu stated that digital hubs are no longer a luxury but a necessity in today's digital world.