Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary, William Kabogo, has promised to deliver a smartboard to Kirasha Primary School in Lari Constituency in Kiambu County this week as the government promotes the use of smart technology in schools.
Kabogo made the pledge during a Mazingira Day tree-planting exercise in Kamae, Lari, where he said the government was committed to improving learning environments through digital technology and other school infrastructure.
“These children have insisted that they want a smartboard, and we will deliver that next week. That is a really good step to advance your learning,” he said.
A smartboard is an interactive digital board that allows teachers and learners to control and engage with digital content directly on the screen using touch or a digital pen. It can be used to display lesson materials, annotate content and support interactive classroom activities.
The pledge comes amid a rollout of digital literacy programmes in schools by the Information Communication and Technology Authority (ICTA) under the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP), which involves deployment of teacher laptops and interactive smart boards to 10,382 public junior schools across all 47 counties.
For smooth implementation, ICTA is undertaking nationwide training of teachers to strengthen their capacity and confidence in using technology to enhance learning.
“As emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, increasingly reshape economies and workplaces, the programme is helping build an early foundation for digital literacy, creativity, problem-solving and technological skills among learners,” ICT PS Eng John Tanui said on September 15, 2026, during the launch of digital literacy programmes in Nairobi.
During the Saturday tree-planting exercise, Kabogo urged residents to make tree growing a regular practice, saying trees were essential for rainfall and environmental conservation.
“The weather today will not deter us from planting trees,” he said, adding that communities should ensure seedlings were planted and nurtured rather than left unattended.
He cautioned residents against selling seedlings distributed for planting, urging those without land to seek permission to plant trees on neighbouring farms.
Correctional Services Principal Secretary (PS), Dr Salome Muhia, who accompanied Kabogo, called on Kenyans to support President Ruto’s national tree-growing agenda.
“Let us enjoin our efforts with those of President William Ruto in his agenda to plant 15 billion trees nationally,” PS Muhia said.
The tree planting drive brought together representatives from ICTA, the Communications Authority of Kenya, the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, the Kenya Forest Service, and the National Government Administration Officers, as well as the area members of the County Assembly and representatives from the Lari MP’s office.
Mazingira Day, formerly celebrated as Moi Day, is marked every year on October 10 and has since been dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainability.
By Rose Muthoni and Grace Naishoo
