Former Deputy President and Democratic Congress Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has urged Kenya to stay ahead in the global technology race, following his recent visit to Silicon Valley, the world’s leading technology hub in California, United States.
In a statement shared on X, Gachagua said his Silicon Valley tour involved engaging with top technology innovators and visiting major global tech companies, including Google and Meta the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads.
“I have spent a splendid day in the Silicon Valley, firsthand the most creative tech innovations and interacting with the best tech minds in the world,” Gachagua said. “I spent quality time at Google before taking a memorable ride in an AI-driven Jaguar limousine.”
The former DP expressed his admiration for the groundbreaking innovations and highlighted the achievements of Kenyans working in the tech industry abroad. He revealed that he met 35 young Kenyans holding senior positions within Silicon Valley’s competitive ecosystem.
“These are brilliant, tech-savvy young Kenyans making significant contributions in some of the biggest tech firms globally,” he noted. “I now have a pretty good idea where to look for the right skills mix — our Kenyan Gen Zs — when recruiting personnel to help us reboot the Ministry of ICT back home.”
Gachagua’s comments come amid growing global conversations about the role of technology in driving economic growth, job creation, and innovation. He emphasized that Kenya cannot afford to be left behind in the rapidly evolving digital landscape, particularly as emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and blockchain reshape industries worldwide.
His visit also underscores the importance of tapping into the Kenyan diaspora’s expertise. According to Gachagua, collaborations with skilled Kenyans abroad could accelerate the country’s digital transformation and improve public sector efficiency.
The former DP has been in the U.S. since July, holding a series of engagements with the Kenyan diaspora in various cities. His Silicon Valley stop was part of a broader mission to explore investment, skills transfer, and technology partnerships that could benefit Kenya’s economy.
Gachagua concluded his message with a rallying call for Kenya to embrace innovation, stating that the country must be bold and deliberate in positioning itself as a competitive player in the global tech space.
