The government is keen to connect all technical and vocational education training institutions (TVETs) to the internet, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said.
Mudavaid said the plan is in line with the establishment of 1,450 digital hubs across the country.
He said the initiative aims at stimulating the creation of jobs and other livelihood opportunities, especially for the youth.
Some 274 digital hubs have already been established in TVET institutions across the country.
“The digital hub model will ensure that everyone within the coverage area, including students, researchers and small business operators, has access to the Wi-Fi that it provides. In addition to the fiber internet itself, having wi-fi coverage across the entire hub ensures anyone can bring their device to get connected,” explained Mudavadi.
The Prime CS was speaking at the launch of the Information and Communication Technologies Digital Hub and Digital Economy Conference at Kakamega County Polytechnic.
Mudavadi said the development of high end “Jitume ICT Digital Hubs” are vital entry points to the emerging digital economy, which he said is transforming the lives of citizens throughout the country.
Technical and Vocational Education Training Institutes (TVETs) are the key beneficiaries of the groundbreaking initiative being implemented by Konza Technopolis Development Authority under the Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy.
“The free internet provided in these hubs enables our youth to acquire digital skills and connect to global online learning and e-commerce resources. Access to reliable power, either from the national grid or solar systems, is critical to maximise the impact of these hubs on the local communities,” added Mudavadi.
He further explained that the hubs are important users of the fibre optic that the Government has laid across the country.
“The Government has practically demonstrated that leveraging digital technologies enhances efficiency and stimulates opportunities for socioeconomic transformation.” said Mudavadi.
Mudavadi noted that President William Ruto last week led the nation in celebrating the first anniversary of the e-citizen Directorate and the progress made in making government services accessible online.
He said President Ruto’s administration has made incredible
progress positioning Kenya as a world leader in the field of integrating
citizen services on online platforms noting that from 354 services, the government
has onboarded 17,692 services on the e-citizen platform.
The figure represents 85 per cent of all 20,721 services identified for onboarding.
“The President’s directive to collapse 1,130 pay bills into a single pay bill, 222222, for all payments for government services, has significantly cut down on leakages in revenue collection. The turnaround is encouraging and the government now collects billions of shillings more every month.” said Mudavadi.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa revealed plans to equip 12 polytechnics with modern computers and internet connectivity in the 12 constituencies in the county.
Barasa noted that the programme seeks to bridge the gap in knowledge sharing and general participation in social political and economic affairs.
