In a move poised to transform the digital landscape and empower youth across the country, the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President, Mr. Eliud Owalo, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for a Model Centre of Excellence ICT Hub at Aila Grounds, Nyamor Village, South Asembo, Rarieda Sub-County, Siaya County.

The hub is part of an ambitious national initiative to roll out 100 ICT Centres of Excellence across Kenya, spearheaded by President William Samoei Ruto’s government.

Each of these ICT hubs, including the one launched in Siaya, is being established with a KSh26 million investment, covering construction and operationalization costs.

The National Government will provide additional resources, including computers, internet connectivity, ICT training, and digital job linkages. This initiative aligns with the government’s broader agenda of creating a robust digital economy that provides employment opportunities, particularly for the youth in rural and underserved regions.

“This is going to be a game changer. Imagine a teenager right here in this village who wasn’t absorbed into university. Now, we’re creating opportunities for them to learn ICT skills, connect with global tech companies, and earn in dollars, all while staying right here in their village. This is the future we are building.”

The establishment of these 100 model ICT hubs is just the beginning. In partnership with Members of Parliament (MPs) and the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), the government plans to establish an additional 1,450 ICT hubs, one in each ward across the country.

MPs have made necessary amendments to the NG-CDF Act, enabling them to allocate 3% of the annual budget to support the construction of ICT hubs in their respective constituencies.

“Once these hubs are built, the national government will deploy the necessary infrastructure, including computers, internet connections, and digital skilling programs, and link youth to global job opportunities,” Mr Owalo said.

The project promises to revolutionize the employment landscape in Kenya, particularly by creating jobs and opportunities for digital skills training in rural areas.

By ensuring youth are equipped with relevant ICT skills and connected to global technological companies, Kenya aims to stem the influx of young people migrating to urban centers in search of work.

“We no longer need to send our children abroad to work in places like the USA, UK, or Germany,” Mr Owalo emphasized. “Now, they can work for global companies from their villages, and that is the core of what we are aiming for in this digital age. This is part and parcel of President William Ruto’s digital economy agenda; we want to empower our youths by way of digital skilling and digital jobs. The Kenya Kwanza government is committed to creating jobs right here in the village.”

The Aila ICT hub is expected to train 300 youth in a single shift, with the potential for two or three shifts per day, ensuring that young people gain the necessary skills to participate in a global, 24-hour digital economy.

This initiative is set to position Kenya as a key player in the global digital economy, empowering its youth with the skills to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

With this strategic move, the government is not just building ICT hubs, but opening doors to a future of endless possibilities, innovation, and digital empowerment for Kenya’s youth.