The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions with the provision of digital equipment as part of a broader strategy to equip young Kenyans with practical skills that can earn them a living and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Speaking during the launch of the Jitume Digital Hub at Manyatta Technical and Vocational College in Embu County on Monday, Principal Secretary (PS) State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy, Engineer John Tanui, said the initiative is part of the Government’s Digital Superhighway Transformation Agenda aimed at positioning Kenya as a leading digital economy.
“The President William Ruto administration is fully committed to advancing the Digital Superhighway agenda. We want to ensure that our people, especially the youth, have an opportunity to enhance their digital capabilities and benefit from the opportunities that come with digital connectivity,” said Eng. Tanui.
The PS noted that Kenya’s digital infrastructure has continued to register tremendous growth and expansion, noting that the country was currently connected through eight submarine cables installed in Mombasa, significantly boosting internet connectivity and access to global digital markets.
He added that the President has been engaging international partners in Europe to strengthen Kenya’s digital connectivity through the proposed Blue-Raman Project.
“Our President has been in the EU discussing how Kenya can benefit from the Blue-Raman Project as part of efforts to ensure the country keeps pace with the rapidly evolving digital world,” he said.
According to Eng. Tanui, the cable will connect Kenya with other African countries, India, and European countries, opening up new opportunities for trade and innovation.
Locally, the PS noted that the Government was actively and progressively implementing an ambitious plan by installing 100,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable across the country, with 40,000 kilometers already done.
Additionally, the PS said they were working closely with Members of Parliament to establish digital hubs in constituencies nationwide through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
He said these initiatives reflect the Government’s commitment to ensuring that young people, regardless of their location, have access to the skills, tools, and opportunities required to participate meaningfully in the global digital space.
“By bringing world-class digital training closer to communities, we are creating pathways to innovation, employment, and entrepreneurship,” the PS stated.
The PS revealed that national digital skilling programmes have already trained more than 1.9 million Kenyans and facilitated over 300,000 digital job opportunities.
He noted that the Manyatta Jitume Digital Hub now joins other hubs established across the country, including 113 supported through Konza Technopolis, as the Government works toward its target of equipping one million young Kenyans with globally competitive digital skills.
Tanui further observed that the digital economy currently contributes approximately 40 percent of Kenya’s economy, underscoring the need to equip young people with relevant digital competencies.
The PS also called for increased investment in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector, citing its potential to create employment opportunities for Kenyan youth.
“We have countries like the Philippines, India, and others that have created jobs for their youth through BPOs. BPOs are an emerging area that Kenya should embrace,” Tanui said.
He revealed that approximately 300,000 Kenyans are currently benefiting directly from BPO-related employment through online jobs, remote work, and outsourcing centres.
Tanui further stated that Kenya has emerged as one of the world’s most attractive destinations for BPO services, creating a significant opportunity for economic growth and job creation.
The PS emphasized the importance of Kenya achieving an international data adequacy status to attract more digital jobs from Europe and other global markets.
“It is important for Kenya to be at the same level as the European Union in terms of digital adequacy. This way, people from the EU will not require additional approval processes to bring their digital jobs to Kenya. This will also position Kenya among the top five BPO destinations in Africa,” he said.
To further support the digital connectivity in learning institutions, Tanui said the Ministry is working closely with the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) to improve connectivity in the institutions through its electricity lines.
He said KPLC is expected to connect approximately 8,000 institutions in the short term.
He encouraged young people to focus on practical skills and service delivery rather than relying solely on academic qualifications.
“The job market today is not just about certificates. The world is changing rapidly. It is about what you can do, what services you can provide and get paid for. Let us embrace the digital world positively because that is the only way to navigate this new era of the digital economy,” he added.
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire welcomed the establishment of the digital hub and pledged continued collaboration between the County Government and the National Government to advance digital skills development.
“We remain committed to strengthening access to quality education and equipping our young people with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world,” said Mbarire.
The Governor emphasized the importance of investing in modern learning infrastructure to prepare young people for emerging opportunities in the digital economy.
“By investing in modern learning infrastructure, we are preparing our young people to compete effectively in the digital economy and contribute meaningfully to the growth and prosperity of our county and nation,” she added.
During the launch, an additional 50 computers were delivered to the ICT Centre, bringing the total number of computers at the facility to 100.
Governor Mbarire also pledged to improve infrastructure around the institution by lighting the road leading to Manyatta Technical and Vocational College to enhance security for students and the surrounding community.
Among the leaders who attended the event were Embu Deputy Governor Kinyua Mugo and Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi.
By Samuel Waititu
