Government leverages on ICT to create Jobs for Kenyan youth
Jitume Center at The Eldoret National Polytechnic that was launched Friday by ICT Cs Eliud Owalo/Photo James Gitaka
By Llyod Ayego
Cabinet secretary, information, communications & digital economy Eliud Owalo has launched two Jitume centers in Bungoma and Uasin Gishu counties.
The Jitume programme was conceived by the President to complement the successes of the existing Digital Enablement Programmes, such as Ajira Digital and the Kenya Youth Employment Programme.
“When President William Ruto’s Administration came into power in 2022, it expanded the mandate of my ministry through assignment of the digital economy function. That automatically places ICT at the core of the Country’s economic transformation agenda, both as an enabler and driver. It is on this basis that the President launched the Jitume Labs Initiative at the Kabete National Technical Polytechnic in December 2022.” Said CS Eliud Owalo.
With the nature of doing businesses shifting to a digital avenue, the CS emphasized on the need to embrace the digital spaces especially by the youth. Technology has put Kenya on the global map as a leading innovation hub. We are home to unique and innovative technologies such as M-PESA, among others.
“The Jitume Lab project seeks to address issues of connectivity, device access and digital skills, as well as job opportunities targeted at the Youth, countrywide. In view of this, the Government is targeting to train our Youth on ICT skills using existing TVET institutions. The aim is to create a critical mass of skilled labor to support and benefit from in the digital economy.” Added the CS.
With Kenya having a National Digital Master Plan (2022-2032) that targets to have more than a million Youth enter the job market annually this training provides them with the right opportunities to close the gaps in ICT and other vocational areas.
“The Kenya National Digital Master Plan (2022-2032) envisages the ICT skills of over one million youth to enter the job market annually. Training them on ICT and other vocational areas will support the rapid adoption of ICT in business. Many of these young people are unable to access training facilities and the programme seeks to address this gap.” Noted Owalo.
The Jitume Labs have been deployed at TVET institutions to take advantage of their already
existing governance system, ability to attract the critical numbers of youth, as well as the
human resource. These Labs have been integrated into TVETs, Constituency Innovation Hubs
and other existing institutions.
The digital centers will host up to 100 virtual digital infrastructures with broadband
connectivity, reliable power, and security with a program coordinator provided by Konza
Technopolis.
“To our Youth, my message today is this: The digital economy train has left the station. Be part of our aspiration”.Said The ICT Cabinet secretary.
The Eldoret Chief Principle Charles Koech applauded the initiative saying it will upend the involvement of the youth in the Country’s economic transformation agenda.
Other leaders present in the launch include Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii , Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka,Kesses Member of Parliament Julius Ruto, Uasin Gishu County Assembly Speaker Philip Muigei among others.
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