Africa-Press – Kenya. The Kenyan government is digitising the country by internet connectivity to create job opportunities for the youth, ICT and Digital Economy CS Eliud Owalo has said.
Owalo said the government is banking on enhancing skills among the youth through the new technology to enable them to access the digital job market.
He said internet connectivity in technical institutions and villages in 1,450 wards is one of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s agenda meant to increase job opportunities for the youth.
Owalo said his ministry has created a blueprint for the project to see all parts of the country are connected to the Internet.
“Internet connectivity falls into the Kenya Kwanza agenda led by President William Ruto to provide jobs for youths and women. The government is connecting free WI-FI in markets and TVETs, ” Owalo said.
Speaking during the official opening of the digital laboratory at Mawego Technical Institute in Karachuonyo constituency on Friday, the CS called on the youth to embrace the program.
Youths are required to participate in the program by registering for training in the situations to enable them to access technical skills.
Already the government has connected different places to the internet through different platforms in Nyanza and other parts of the country.
According to Owalo, some Nyanza town markets which have been connected include free Bondo town and Ahero towns in Nyanza.
“The same will be expanded to Katito, Kendu Bay, Homa Bay and other towns in Migori,” he said.
The government has also started setting up digital laboratories dubbed Jitume computer laboratories.
Mawego technical training institute has such laboratories with 100 computers. It is the first one to serve Homa Bay.
“Let students who registered take the program seriously because it is meant to create for their jobs. Beneficiaries are expected to develop digital skills that will market them globally, “the CS said.
Youths will access job opportunities through online platforms.
“Online jobs can make you earn more money than ordinary work. Besides, it will enable you to get digital skills,” Owalo added.
Jitume Digital Laboratories is supported by Konza techno cities through the Ministry of ICT.
ICT Principal Secretary Joseph Tanui said most work globally has moved online.
Present was the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Konza Techno City John Okwiri and Homa Bay UDA party coordinator John Odek. He said most of the online tasks can be done by the youth.
“There are emerging issues like climate change, online marketing and other digitisation matters which can be handled using digital knowledge and skills. The world is changing and needs youths with digital skills to perform some tasks,” Tanui said.
Tanui said digital skills can be used to market individual work and Kenya in global markets.
“Kenya can become top job destinations where other countries can source people with digital skills,” he added.
Okwiri asked the students to take advantage of the program and acquire technical skills.
He said the program will definitely benefit youths by accessing jobs digitally.
“Youths will come to appreciate the program if they start earning money through online jobs,” Okwiri said.
Mawego Technical Training Institute John Abuto said they are working closely with the ministry to ensure the program benefits youths.
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