The government, in partnership with Huawei, has completed a four-week digital skills training program for 180 youth in Baringo County through the Huawei DigiTruck initiative. The training, conducted at Kabimoi Vocational Training Centre in Eldama Ravine, was overseen by the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy.
The initiative, targeting rural youth, aims to equip participants with essential ICT knowledge, digital entrepreneurship skills, and online safety awareness. As part of the program, the trainees were paired with business development mentors to guide them in leveraging the online space for marketing their ideas, creating startups, and accessing global markets.
Information, Communication and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo noted that the training is part of the government’s broader strategy to accelerate ICT uptake in rural areas. “ICT drives economic growth. We must redouble our efforts to boost the number of youth in this sphere. By harnessing their skills and smart ideas, we will make significant strides towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Owalo said.
Since its inception, the Huawei DigiTruck program has reached over 6,240 youth across 39 counties. It features a mobile ICT lab powered by solar energy and equipped with high-spec computers, allowing remote communities to access vital digital training.
Participants lauded the program for opening up new opportunities. Keithlyn Jerono, a trainee, plans to use her skills to work with local health workers to promote health education and market farm produce. “I now see computers not just as machines, but as tools for innovation, problem-solving and global connection,” she said.
Another participant, Kibet Korir, a graduate in animal health, shared that he will develop a website to help farmers identify livestock diseases and access markets.
ICT Principal Secretary John Tanui affirmed the government’s commitment to expanding digital literacy through public-private partnerships. Huawei Kenya Deputy CEO Stephen Zhang emphasized that financial literacy, online safety, and business incubation form the backbone of the program, which continues to bridge the digital divide and spark innovation across Kenya.
