Around two thousand youth in Ruiru, Kiambu County, are set to receive training from the government’s Jitume Digital Empowerment Program, which focuses on providing online job opportunities.
Area MP Simon King’ara, in partnership with eMobilis a digital training skills company, initiated the digital empowerment programme to provide computer access to residents of the constituency.
The program was officially launched at the Ruiru ICT Hub, which currently houses 200 computers, with a goal of expanding the initiative to all eight wards within the constituency. Recognising the difficulties of finding formal employment, the legislator encouraged youth in the region to consider signing up for the free Jitume training programme.
During the launch ceremony at Biashara ward, Mr Kingara expressed that the hub would support the government’s initiative to modernise business practices through technology.
“We officially began our five-day online training and mentorship programme today where we were able to enroll hundreds of young people from Ruiru. This training is aimed at equipping young people with Digital and Online Work Skills to enable them access dignified work and earn a decent income from Internet Freelancing & Digital Economy.”
“The ICT sector offers young people the opportunity to earn up to Sh200,000 in salary through technology that benefits the individuals and provides them with means for supporting their families,” he said.
During the training programme, participants will learn about Content Writing, Virtual Assistance, introduction to Digital & Digitally Enabled work, creating a Personal Digital Profile, Online Work Safety & Data Protection, and Soft Skills. Following the completion of the modules, participants will also receive virtual mentorship for a period of 4 weeks.
The MP also pledged to increase the number of computers at the Biashara ward hub from 200 to 500 desktops. Those who are participating in the training are pleased with the initiative, as they see the potential for it to create new opportunities for using the internet in a productive way.
Joyce Wangeci, a resident of Ruiru, expressed her goal to shift from using the internet for entertainment to using it for business purposes.
“I tend to spend a lot of hours on social media entertaining myself, but I now want to learn how to use the same social media to make money. I want to start an online boutique business and this is the perfect opportunity to learn how. I am especially grateful for the mentorship that will come after the training,” she explained.
They however pointed out the ongoing problem of unreliable internet connections in various locations and urged for the widespread accessibility of Wi-Fi, urging the government to enhance connectivity in both urban and rural regions.
In January last year the government promised to establish a digital hub in each of Kenya’s 1,450 wards in an ambitious project set to spur digital trade.