A total of 330 young people have completed a one-month digital skills training programme in Chepkorio Village, Keiyo South Constituency, strengthening efforts to prepare local communities for opportunities in Kenya’s growing digital economy.
The graduates were recognised during a ceremony attended by Dr Gideon Kimaiyo Kipkoech, MP for Keiyo South Constituency; Hon Opiyo Wandayi, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum; and Eng John Tanui, Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy.
The training was delivered through the Huawei DigiTruck in partnership with Computers for Schools Kenya and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. It covered the use of computers, smartphones and the internet, productivity software, cybersecurity, online job searches, and buying and selling online.
“Infrastructure without digital skills is a highway with no vehicles. That is why this intensive, one-month digital training for 330 youth in Keiyo South is the ultimate highlight of our strategy,” said Eng John Tanui, Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy.
“We are equipping our young people first, so that as we aggressively roll out last-mile fibre optic cables leveraging Kenya Power’s infrastructure, we have a ready workforce. Through the Huawei DigiTruck and the upcoming Chepkorio Centre of Excellence Digital Hub, Keiyo South is creating the human capital needed to drive President Ruto’s Digital Superhighway programme into the future.”
Hon Opiyo Wandayi said investment in both skills and infrastructure was essential for communities to benefit fully from digital transformation.
“We commend Huawei for bringing the DigiTruck initiative to Elgeyo Marakwet and for investing in the digital skills and capabilities of communities that are at the heart of Kenya’s digital transformation,” said the Cabinet Secretary.
“Digital skills can only deliver their full value when communities have reliable access to both connectivity and power. As Government, we are committed to expanding internet and electricity connectivity, particularly in underserved areas, so that the knowledge and skills gained through initiatives such as DigiTruck can be translated into real opportunities, livelihoods and better services.”
Participants also took part in an innovation competition, presenting ideas on how they could use their new digital skills to address needs within their communities.
Adam Lane, Director for Policy and Partnerships at Huawei Kenya, congratulated the graduates and said Huawei would continue working with partners to keep the DigiTruck curriculum relevant as technology, including artificial intelligence, evolves.
Dr Gideon Kimaiyo Kipkoech, MP for Keiyo South Constituency, said the programme had brought practical skills and opportunity closer to young people in rural communities.
“Today, as we celebrate the graduation of our youth from the Huawei DigiTruck ICT programme in Keiyo South, I want to express my deepest appreciation to Huawei Kenya for this transformative partnership,” he said.
“You have not just brought a truck; you have brought digital skills, hope and opportunity right to the doorstep of our rural villages. The more than 330 graduates are now equipped to compete in the digital economy, and this is true empowerment.”
The graduation follows the release of Bridging the Divide: Enhancing Digital Literacy in the AI Era, a report by GSMA Intelligence in partnership with Huawei. The report identifies digital skills, trust and AI literacy as critical to ensuring communities are not left behind as AI adoption accelerates.
