The government is upbeat following steady progress in the assembly of computers by university students, expressing confidence that the initiative will fast-track the rollout of digital hubs while placing young people at the centre of Kenya’s digital transformation.
Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo said the progress demonstrates that students have the capacity to drive the government’s digital agenda through hands-on technical work.
Speaking during a tour of one of the assembly lines at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kabogo said the pace of production of the 3,000 computers the institution has been contracted to assemble is satisfactory. Moi University will handle 7,000 units.
He said the assembly of about 300 computers daily at JKUAT signals that the government is on course to equip all 1,450 wards with digital hubs. Each centre is expected to receive between 50 and 100 devices to support youth training and access to digital jobs.
Kabogo noted that involving students in the production process is not only accelerating implementation but also equipping them with practical skills in hardware integration, diagnostics and production processes, competencies critical to sustaining Kenya’s growing digital economy.
“The government deliberately engaged local universities to undertake the assembly so as to build local capacity while reducing reliance on fully built imports. The approach is also expected to promote local manufacturing by encouraging institutions to assemble devices from imported components,” said Kabogo.
Beyond delivery, Kabogo said the project will strengthen Kenya’s position in the digital economy, a sector that continues to play a significant role in national growth.
He called for increased funding to fast-track the equipping and operationalisation of digital hubs, revealing plans to facilitate the local assembly of an additional 50,000 devices.
At JKUAT, the programme has been integrated into training, with students attached to assembly lines for hands-on experience. Vice Chancellor Prof. Victoria Ngumi said the exposure is enhancing employability and affirmed the university’s capacity to scale up production if supported.
Kabogo urged youth to seize digital opportunities, citing rising earnings from online work.
“What has been witnessed in this sector where some Kenyans are making up to Sh57 million annually from online jobs and content creation has never been witnessed in this country before. The opportunities for our youth in this sector are huge, and as a government, we shall continue offering the best environment and policies to help our young people to earn,” Kabogo said.
By Muoki Charles
