Young people in Bungoma County are increasingly benefiting from digital opportunities through the government’s Jitume Digital Programme, an initiative aimed at creating digital jobs, improving digital skills and expanding internet access at the grassroots level.
The programme, which is spearheaded by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy and implemented by the Technopolis Development Authority, continues to support youth across the country through the establishment of Jitume Digital Hubs.
Bungoma County currently has eight Jitume Digital Hubs located in Kabuchai, Webuye West, Kimilili, Chemoge, Tongaren and Kanduyi. The hubs are helping young people access digital skills training, internet connectivity, mentorship and digital devices needed to participate in the growing digital economy.
Youth accessing services from the Jitume Digital Hub at Bungoma National Polytechnic revealed that the programme had assisted them access opportunities in the digital sector, develop their digital skills and generate income.
The Jitume Digital Literacy Programme is an aspect of Kenya’s overall digital strategy, as envisaged in the National Digital Masterplan 2022-2032, and seeks to ensure that the country becomes a prominent digital economy in Africa.
Since the implementation of the programme in 2023, 350 Jitume Digital Hubs have been opened in the country. According to the plans by the Government, 1,450 such facilities would be put up across all wards in the 47 counties of the country.
To date, over 140,000 youth have been trained in digital literacy, and about 42,000 digital job opportunities have been created for Kenyan youth.
The programme is still playing an instrumental role in ensuring that the youth acquire marketable digital skills and technology access and achieving the aim of creating one million digital jobs by 2032.
The Jitume Digital Hubs act as community digital empowerment centres through access to computers, reliable internet, mentoring schemes, innovation areas and digital job opportunities.
Construction of Jitume Centres of Excellence in every county is also ongoing, with the centres expected to support innovators, creatives and digital workers.
Speaking during an engagement session with youth at Bungoma National Polytechnic, Ruth Muriithi, Manager for Knowledge Economy and Innovation, said the programme is helping strengthen Kenya’s position in the global digital economy.
“Kenya continues to rank among Africa’s leading countries in internet connectivity and digital innovation. Initiatives such as Jitume are critical in ensuring that young people at the grassroots level can access digital skills, online jobs and technology infrastructure that empower them economically,” she said.
The Jitume Digital Enablement Programme is being implemented through a partnership involving the Technopolis Development Authority, the Communications Authority of Kenya, the ICT Authority and the National Government Constituencies Development Fund under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy.
