By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
The national government is set to expand the digital superhighway by deploying over 100,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables, installing wifi hotspots in 25,000 identified areas, and building 1,450 digital innovation labs across the country.
This infrastructure will form the backbone of the online creative economy, equipping many Kenyan youths with the necessary skills to secure jobs in the online space.
A key component of this flagship initiative is the JITUME program, a youth empowerment initiative rolled out in more than 120 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across the country.
According to the Government’s spokesman, Isaac Mwaura, the program entails a two-month training course in diverse online occupations, followed by employment opportunities that offer weekly income.
“The impact of the JITUME program has been significant. Over 500 students and alumni from the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) have already benefited from the program since its inception in September last year,” stated the government Spokesman on X.
“I emphasized the government’s commitment to the digital superhighway and creative economy, noting that these initiatives are part of the BETA plan. We are glad that the project is doing well for the few applicants who succeeded in getting the online jobs,” said Mwaura.
The government spokesperson further mentioned that the program has improved the livelihood of many youths and their families, and that the government would get additional platforms and employment opportunities for the youth in the country to address the unemployment issue.
The visit by the Office of the Government Spokesperson (OGS) team to the JITUME hub in Nakuru County highlighted the program’s effectiveness and the government’s ongoing efforts to combat youth unemployment through digital skills and online job prospects.
“The National Government has also successfully installed 3 fast speed Internet WiFi hotspots in Nakuru County to further spur the digital economy,” Mwaura said.