The President's Digital promise - Stakeholders laud Kenyatta

Friday, August 5, 2022

The University of Nairobi leadership were among the guests that gathered at the Statehouse Nairobi to bid farewell and honour President Uhuru for the delivery of his legacy digital promise through various ICT investments including infrastructure development, Digital learning program for schools and the Presidential Digital talent program among other ICT initiatives.

The Digital Talent Program whose goal was to build a large pool of digital talents from young graduates in Universities and colleges was launched by the President in 2015 at the University of Nairobi Taifa hall.

The program has so far built the capacity of 2100 graduates with ICT Skills that are in high demand in the market like coding.

During the event, the President thanked all the stakeholders including the University of Nairobi for supporting the Digital Talent Program.

The President observed that Kenya will tap on the youth talents to implement the recently launched ICT Master plan. The President encouraged private sector players to also tap from the pool of digital talents in order to revolutionize their services. While commending his government for the key achievements on digital promise, the President said that Kenya has constructed over 9,000 Kms of fiber optic infrastructure. He said that his government has developed a proposal for opening of two software industries in Kenya to create employment opportunities for ICT graduates. The President stressed on the need to address financing gaps in the sector for the full realization of digital literacy in Kenya. President Uhuru further said that the government has developed National cybersecurity strategy to address the cybersecurity challenges and risks in the country.

On his part, the Cabinet Secretary for ICT, Hon. Joe Mucheru observed that the program has contributed to the creation of a robust digital economy in Kenya. “Kenya is the leading country in Digital transformation in Africa’’, Mucheru equipped. The CS added that the investments by the government in the sector has led to creation of more job opportunities for the youth. The Cabinet Secretary said that his Ministry has developed the National ICT Masterplan that will guide the country in leveraging on ICT
to achieve growth.

Present during the meeting were Cabinet Secretary for Education, Prof. George Magoha, the Chancellor of the University of Nairobi Dr.Vijjoo Rattansi, Vice chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama Gitahi , Chief Operations Officer Mr. Brian Ouma, Dean of Students Mr. Johnson Kinyua, Director of Corporate Affairs John Orindi, Ag, Director of University Advancement Ann Nkoidilla and PA to the VC Ms. Janet Wangui.