The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication, and Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo has promised to equip all TVETS with virtual desktops aimed at promoting digital transformation in the country.
The CS during the commissioning of the digital hubs, referred to as Jitume Centers at Mabera and Kendege TTI, said that the virtual desktops will equip one million learners with ready-to-market digital skills.
During his speech at Mabera Technical and Vocational Institute, he said that the move is part of the fulfilment of the Kenya Kwanza Government’s transformative agenda, under President William Ruto.
“I am pleased to launch these Jitume Centers which are a true reflection of President Ruto’s administration which has been founded on transformative agenda,” he said.
Owalo who was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary for Education, Dr Ezekiel Machogu, said that digital centers will solve Kenya’s most urgent needs; job and wealth creation as well as inclusive growth.
Together, they also launched digital laboratories in St. Mary’s Mabera Girls Secondary School, Moi Girls’- Nyabohanse, and Tarang’anya Boys’ Secondary Schools.
Owalo said that the creation of the digital hubs is a crucial component of ICT which is part of the five-point development plan which prioritized agriculture, affordable housing SME sector, and universal healthcare.
He stressed the need to embrace the Jitume Centers saying that as a component of ICT, it makes digitization a goal on its own, which he is focused to help the government achieve.
“As part of the five-point development plan, ICT is identified as a goal on its own and a sole enabler and prime mover of the rest of the goals,” he said.
The Jitume Centers which will also host the Public Wi-Fi is an ICT agenda that derives its existence from the Kenya National Digital Masterplan 2022-2023 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
According to Cs Owalo, the Jitume Centers will supplement digital infrastructure, digital service, and data management, digital skills, and entrepreneurship which are key pillars of the BETA masterplan.
“Our Jitume Centers will be there to, effectively align the digital technology among other pillars with policy, legal and regulatory frameworks,” he added.
He added that the Jitume Centers aim primarily to equip the youth with digital skills while training a public workforce that ensures an effective and efficient service delivery in different areas of work.
Owalo said that the Technical and Vocational Colleges were majorly selected to host the digital centers as they host courses that go hand in hand with entrepreneurship which also needs ICT knowledge.
“As Kenyans acquire various skills for occupations, job creation, and wealth generation, they must also learn how to use ICT and train on digital capacity building in this pursuit,” said Owalo.
Apart from the digital skills, Owalo also noted that the ICT ministry has a one-year internship program that will further nature digital skill development and ICT innovations.
This, in the long run, according to CS Owalo, will supplement the Ajira Program, a virtual program that provides free training and placement of youths to access online jobs.
The CS stressed virtual transformation, referring to the Kenya Open University, launched by President William Ruto which will give meaning to science and technology.